Patents by Inventor David S. Byrne

David S. Byrne 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).

  • Patent number: 8051450
    Abstract: An electronic program guide (EPG) organizes and presents programming information to the viewer and allows for creation of queries to facilitate both simple and complex searches of the programming information. The EPG is configured to automatically identify programs that a viewer is likely to prefer. The EPG collects viewing preferences of a viewer and, using these preferences; automatically develops queries for identifying programs that the viewer is likely to watch. The EPG also enables multiple viewers to merge their individual queries into one composite query or to run queries in background to periodically check for programs and notify the viewer when a program is identified. Queries are saved in an EPG database in a hierarchic structure with directories and sub-directories to make it easy for a viewer for organizing and retrieval. Also the EPG creates queries for a channel, network name or program using a 10-key keypad. The EPG is configured to interpret the data as representing all possible choices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: James O. Robarts, David S. Byrne, Steve Fluegel, Gabe Newell, Dan Newell, Kenneth Abbott
  • Patent number: 7665109
    Abstract: An electronic programming guide (EPG) resides in a user interface unit memory and is executable on the processor of the user interface unit to organize programming information that is descriptive of the programs supplied over an interactive entertainment system. The EPG supports a user interface (UI) which visually correlates programs titles to scheduled viewing times. A hyperlink browser also resides in memory and is executable on the processor. One or more hyperlinks, which reference target resources containing interactive content related to the video programs, are integrated as part of the EPG UI. When a viewer activates a hyperlink within the EPG, the user interface unit launches the browser to activate the target resource specified by the hyperlink. The instruction might cause the visual display unit to tune to the program or channel represented by the particular label, or to initiate procedures to record the program when it begins playing, or to jump to a related target resource, such as a Web site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph H. Matthews, III, Frank Lawler, James O. Robarts, David S. Byrne
  • Patent number: 6973050
    Abstract: In a broadcast system in which computer data and other content are delivered from multiple content servers to multiple clients at least partly over a broadcast network, a transmission announcement system announces upcoming broadcast transmissions and instructs the clients on how to receive the broadcast transmissions. Announcement servers (which may or may not be the same as the content servers which serve the data for the broadcast transmissions) generate announcements containing information specifying how associated upcoming transmissions are to be delivered over the broadcast network. The announcement server makes the announcements available to the clients over the broadcast network or over a secondary link other than the broadcast network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Birdwell, Brian Moran, James Randall Sargent, Carl R. Witty, David S. Byrne
  • Publication number: 20040139465
    Abstract: An interactive entertainment system has a program provider which distributes video content programs to multiple subscribers over a distribution network. Each subscriber has a user interface unit which receives the digital video program and converts it for display on a television, monitor, or other display unit. The user interface unit has a processor and memory. An electronic programming guide (EPG) resides in the memory and is executable on the processor to organize programming information that is descriptive of the programs supplied over the interactive entertainment system. The EPG supports a user interface (UI) which visually correlates programs titles to scheduled viewing times. A hyperlink browser also resides in memory and is executable on the processor. One or more hyperlinks, which reference target resources containing interactive content related to the video programs, are integrated as part of the EPG UI.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph H. Matthews, Frank Lawler, James O. Robarts, David S. Byrne
  • Publication number: 20040027996
    Abstract: In a broadcast system in which computer data and other content are delivered from multiple content servers to multiple clients at least partly over a broadcast network, a transmission announcement system announces upcoming broadcast transmissions and instructs the clients on how to receive the broadcast transmissions. Announcement servers (which may or may not be the same as the content servers which serve the data for the broadcast transmissions) generate announcements containing information specifying how associated upcoming transmissions are to be delivered over the broadcast network. The announcement server makes the announcements available to the clients over the broadcast network or over a secondary link other than the broadcast network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Birdwell, Brian Moran, James Randal Sargent, Carl R. Witty, David S. Byrne
  • Patent number: 6631523
    Abstract: An interactive entertainment system has a program provider which distributes video content programs to multiple subscribers over a distribution network. Each subscriber has a user interface unit which receives the digital video program and converts it for display on a television, monitor, or other display unit. The user interface unit has a processor and memory. An electronic programming guide (EPG) resides in the memory and is executable on the processor to organize programming information that is descriptive of the programs supplied over the interactive entertainment system. The EPG supports a user interface (UI) which visually correlates programs titles to scheduled viewing times. A hyperlink browser also resides in memory and is executable on the processor. One or more hyperlinks, which reference target resources containing interactive content related to the video programs, are integrated as part of the EPG UI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph H. Matthews, III, Frank Lawler, James O. Robarts, David S. Byrne
  • Patent number: 6628625
    Abstract: In a broadcast system in which computer data and other content are delivered from multiple content servers to multiple clients at least partly over a broadcast network, a transmission announcement system announces upcoming broadcast transmissions and instructs the clients on how to receive the broadcast transmissions. Announcement servers (which may or may not be the same as the content servers which serve the data for the broadcast transmissions) generate announcements containing information specifying how associated upcoming transmissions are to be delivered over the broadcast network. The announcement server makes the announcements available to the clients over the broadcast network or over a secondary link other than the broadcast network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Birdwell, Brian Moran, James Randall Sargent, Carl R. Witty, David S. Byrne
  • Patent number: 6108706
    Abstract: In a broadcast system in which computer data and other content are delivered from multiple content servers to multiple clients at least partly over a broadcast network, a transmission announcement system announces upcoming broadcast transmissions and instructs the clients on how to receive the broadcast transmissions. Announcement servers (which may or may not be the same as the content servers which serve the data for the broadcast transmissions) generate announcements containing information specifying how associated upcoming transmissions are to be delivered over the broadcast network. The announcement server makes the announcements available to the clients over the broadcast network or over a secondary link other than the broadcast network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Birdwell, Brian Moran, James Randall Sargent, Carl R. Witty, David S. Byrne
  • Patent number: 6025837
    Abstract: An interactive entertainment system has a program provider which distributes video content programs to multiple subscribers over a distribution network. Each subscriber has a user interface unit which receives the digital video program and converts it for display on a television, monitor, or other display unit. The user interface unit has a processor and memory. An electronic programming guide (EPG) resides in the memory and is executable on the processor to organize programming information that is descriptive of the programs supplied over the interactive entertainment system. The EPG supports a user interface (UI) which visually correlates programs titles to scheduled viewing times. A hyperlink browser also resides in memory and is executable on the processor. One or more hyperlinks, which reference target resources containing interactive content related to the video programs, are integrated as part of the EPG UI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Micrsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph H. Matthews, III, Frank Lawler, James O. Robarts, David S. Byrne
  • Patent number: 5990883
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for selecting content from a plurality of different physical sources and from a variety of content sources that are available from the physical sources. In one example, physical sources comprise different signal sources or types, such as terrestrially broadcast signals and cable television signals. Content sources comprise different channels or network sources. The method includes a step of displaying an integrated listing of content entries for selection by a user, wherein each content entry is associated with both a content source and a physical source from which particular content is available. The system accepts a selection from the user of a single content entry, and in response renders the content source associated with the selected single content entry from the physical source that is also associated with the selected single content entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Byrne, Sean McDowell
  • Patent number: 4555030
    Abstract: A wall bracket device or rack for receiving, containing and stacking a plurality of disposable wet shaving razors where each razor is removable individually for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventors: David S. Byrne, Evan N. Chen
  • Patent number: 4535537
    Abstract: A low-cost plastic disposable razor having a plurality of paths for purging the razor of shaving debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventors: Frank A. Ferraro, David S. Byrne
  • Patent number: 4476630
    Abstract: A low cost razor for wet shaving having a permanently attached sliding blade cover and a cooperating cover actuating button connected to the cover by a flexible element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventor: David S. Byrne
  • Patent number: D271531
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventor: David S. Byrne
  • Patent number: D274752
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventor: David S. Byrne
  • Patent number: D275789
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventor: David S. Byrne
  • Patent number: D307333
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventors: Frank A. Ferraro, David S. Byrne
  • Patent number: D307334
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventors: Frank A. Ferraro, David S. Byrne
  • Patent number: D313175
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventors: Vincent C. Motta, David S. Byrne
  • Patent number: D327550
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventors: Evan N. Chen, Frank A. Ferraro, David S. Byrne