Patents by Inventor Gerard Kunkel
Gerard Kunkel 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).
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Patent number: 9185332Abstract: Systems and methods for a video scan are provided. The scan may be dynamically interactive and a function of characteristics of the programs in the scan (e.g., commercial breaks or the end of a program approaching) The scan may simultaneously display multiple scan windows for a plurality of programs, for example in a scan wizard. The scan wizard allows the user to simultaneously view a scan window and an information panel, select criteria for the scan from a criteria panel, and control the scan using a scan control panel. The scan may allow the user to record a program displayed in the scan without interrupting the scan (e.g., by using an additional tuner). The scan may display, within the scan interface, trick-play functions for appropriate scanned programs (e.g., recorded, cached and on-demand programs). The user may select and perform trick-play functions for a scanned program without exiting the scan mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2012Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Gerard Kunkel, Jon P. Radloff, Michael D. Ellis, Michael L. Craner, Rajeshwari B. Iyer, Andrzej Jakubowski
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Publication number: 20140245354Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that provide a user with efficient video-rich navigation (VRN) of media assets in an interactive media guidance application, such as an interactive program guide. A user can select a displayed video asset and perform an action on the selectable video asset, for example, using a remote control. The manner in which the video assets are displayed and the actions enabled for the particular video assets are defined by screen data transmitted to the user equipment in a VRN data feed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: ROVI GUIDES, INC.Inventors: Gerard Kunkel, Michael D. Ellis, Robert A. Knee, Jon P. Radloff
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Patent number: 8787736Abstract: Systems and methods for a video scan are provided. The scan may be dynamically interactive and a function of characteristics of the programs in the scan (e.g., commercial breaks or the end of a program approaching) The scan may simultaneously display multiple scan windows for a plurality of programs, for example in a scan wizard. The scan wizard allows the user to simultaneously view a scan window and an information panel, select criteria for the scan from a criteria panel, and control the scan using a scan control panel. The scan may allow the user to record a program displayed in the scan without interrupting the scan (e.g., by using an additional tuner). The scan may display, within the scan interface, trick-play functions for appropriate scanned programs (e.g., recorded, cached and on-demand programs). The user may select and perform trick-play functions for a scanned program without exiting the scan mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Rovi Guides, LLCInventors: Gerard Kunkel, Jon P. Radloff, Michael D. Ellis, Michael L. Craner, Rajeshwari B. Iyer, Andrzej Jakubowski
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Publication number: 20130247103Abstract: A method and system of selecting assets for display in an interactive media guidance application includes receiving a user input indicating interest in a media item; generating a list of media assets related to the media item, selecting, based on priority rules, a subset of the media assets to display in an interactive media guidance application, and displaying an identifier for each of the subset of media assets in the interactive media guidance application screen. The priority rules may assign a first priority to one type of media asset and a second priority to a second type of media asset, and may be based on: whether the media asset has been viewed, and a respective time associated with the media asset.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: ROVI GUIDES, INC.Inventors: Charles D. White, Kyle Aaron, Gerard Kunkel, Steven Carr
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Patent number: 8464293Abstract: A method and system of selecting assets for display in an interactive media guidance application includes receiving a user input indicating interest in a media item; generating a list of media assets related to the media item, selecting, based on priority rules, a subset of the media assets to display in an interactive media guidance application, and displaying an identifier for each of the subset of media assets in the interactive media guidance application screen. The priority rules may assign a first priority to one type of media asset and a second priority to a second type of media asset, and may be based on: whether the media asset has been viewed, and a respective time associated with the media asset.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2008Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Steven Carr, Charles White, Gerard Kunkel, Kyle Aaron
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Patent number: 8429686Abstract: Systems and methods for a video scan are provided. The scan may be dynamically interactive and a function of characteristics of the programs in the scan (e.g., commercial breaks or the end of a program approaching) The scan may simultaneously display multiple scan windows for a plurality of programs, for example in a scan wizard. The scan wizard allows the user to simultaneously view a scan window and an information panel, select criteria for the scan from a criteria panel, and control the scan using a scan control panel. The scan may allow the user to record a program displayed in the scan without interrupting the scan (e.g., by using an additional tuner). The scan may display, within the scan interface, trick-play functions for appropriate scanned programs (e.g., recorded, cached and on-demand programs). The user may select and perform trick-play functions for a scanned program without exiting the scan mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2011Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Gerard Kunkel, Jon P. Radloff, Michael D. Ellis, Michael L. Craner, Rajeshwari B. Iyer, Andrzej Jakubowski
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Patent number: 8387089Abstract: Systems and methods for a video scan are provided. The scan may be dynamically interactive and a function of characteristics of the programs in the scan (e.g., commercial breaks or the end of a program approaching) The scan may simultaneously display multiple scan windows for a plurality of programs, for example in a scan wizard. The scan wizard allows the user to simultaneously view a scan window and an information panel, select criteria for the scan from a criteria panel, and control the scan using a scan control panel. The scan may allow the user to record a program displayed in the scan without interrupting the scan (e.g., by using an additional tuner). The scan may display, within the scan interface, trick-play functions for appropriate scanned programs (e.g., recorded, cached and on-demand programs). The user may select and perform trick-play functions for a scanned program without exiting the scan mode.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2006Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Gerard Kunkel, Jon P. Radloff, Michael D. Ellis, Michael L. Craner, Rajeshwari B. Iyer, Andrzej Jakubowski
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Publication number: 20120131616Abstract: Systems and methods for a video scan are provided. The scan may be dynamically interactive and a function of characteristics of the programs in the scan (e.g., commercial breaks or the end of a program approaching) The scan may simultaneously display multiple scan windows for a plurality of programs, for example in a scan wizard. The scan wizard allows the user to simultaneously view a scan window and an information panel, select criteria for the scan from a criteria panel, and control the scan using a scan control panel. The scan may allow the user to record a program displayed in the scan without interrupting the scan (e.g., by using an additional tuner). The scan may display, within the scan interface, trick-play functions for appropriate scanned programs (e.g., recorded, cached and on-demand programs). The user may select and perform trick-play functions for a scanned program without exiting the scan mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2012Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Gerard Kunkel, Jon P. Radloff, Michael D. Ellis, Michael L. Craner, Rajeshwari B. Iyer, Andrzej Jakubowski
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Publication number: 20120076473Abstract: Systems and methods for a video scan are provided. The scan may be dynamically interactive and a function of characteristics of the programs in the scan (e.g., commercial breaks or the end of a program approaching) The scan may simultaneously display multiple scan windows for a plurality of programs, for example in a scan wizard. The scan wizard allows the user to simultaneously view a scan window and an information panel, select criteria for the scan from a criteria panel, and control the scan using a scan control panel. The scan may allow the user to record a program displayed in the scan without interrupting the scan (e.g., by using an additional tuner). The scan may display, within the scan interface, trick-play functions for appropriate scanned programs (e.g., recorded, cached and on-demand programs). The user may select and perform trick-play functions for a scanned program without exiting the scan mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Gerard Kunkel, Jon P. Radloff, Michael D. Ellis, Michael L. Craner, Rajeshwari B. Iyer, Andrzej Jakubowski
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Patent number: 8127329Abstract: Systems and methods for a video scan are provided. The scan may be dynamically interactive and a function of characteristics of the programs in the scan (e.g., commercial breaks or the end of a program approaching) The scan may simultaneously display multiple scan windows for a plurality of programs, for example in a scan wizard. The scan wizard allows the user to simultaneously view a scan window and an information panel, select criteria for the scan from a criteria panel, and control the scan using a scan control panel. The scan may allow the user to record a program displayed in the scan without interrupting the scan (e.g., by using an additional tuner). The scan may display, within the scan interface, trick-play functions for appropriate scanned programs (e.g., recorded, cached and on-demand programs). The user may select and perform trick-play functions for a scanned program without exiting the scan mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Gerard Kunkel, Jon P. Radloff, Michael D. Ellis, Michael L. Craner, Rajeshwari B. Iyer, Andrzej Jakubowski
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Patent number: 8095951Abstract: Systems and methods for a video scan are provided. The scan may be dynamically interactive and a function of characteristics of the programs in the scan (e.g., commercial breaks or the end of a program approaching) The scan may simultaneously display multiple scan windows for a plurality of programs, for example in a scan wizard. The scan wizard allows the user to simultaneously view a scan window and an information panel, select criteria for the scan from a criteria panel, and control the scan using a scan control panel. The scan may allow the user to record a program displayed in the scan without interrupting the scan (e.g., by using an additional tuner). The scan may display, within the scan interface, trick-play functions for appropriate scanned programs (e.g., recorded, cached and on-demand programs). The user may select and perform trick-play functions for a scanned program without exiting the scan mode.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2006Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Gerard Kunkel, Jon P. Radloff, Michael D. Ellis, Michael L. Craner, Rajeshwari B. Iyer, Andrzej Jakubowski
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Publication number: 20110164861Abstract: Systems and methods for a video scan are provided. The scan may be dynamically interactive and a function of characteristics of the programs in the scan (e.g., commercial breaks or the end of a program approaching) The scan may simultaneously display multiple scan windows for a plurality of programs, for example in a scan wizard. The scan wizard allows the user to simultaneously view a scan window and an information panel, select criteria for the scan from a criteria panel, and control the scan using a scan control panel. The scan may allow the user to record a program displayed in the scan without interrupting the scan (e.g., by using an additional tuner). The scan may display, within the scan interface, trick-play functions for appropriate scanned programs (e.g., recorded, cached and on-demand programs). The user may select and perform trick-play functions for a scanned program without exiting the scan mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2011Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Gerard Kunkel, Jon P. Radloff, Michael D. Ellis, Michael L. Craner, Rajeshwari B. Iyer, Andrzej Jakubowski
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Publication number: 20090178083Abstract: A method and system of selecting assets for display in an interactive media guidance application includes receiving a user input indicating interest in a media item; generating a list of media assets related to the media item, selecting, based on priority rules, a subset of the media assets to display in an interactive media guidance application, and displaying an identifier for each of the subset of media assets in the interactive media guidance application screen. The priority rules may assign a first priority to one type of media asset and a second priority to a second type of media asset, and may be based on: whether the media asset has been viewed, and a respective time associated with the media asset.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2008Publication date: July 9, 2009Applicant: Guideworks, LLCInventors: Charles White, Kyle Aaron, Gerard Kunkel, Steven Carr
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Publication number: 20060288363Abstract: A system and method for transmitting and displaying information in a television distribution system (10), or the like, transmits information that is targeted to a viewer matching particular demographic data.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2006Publication date: December 21, 2006Inventors: Gerard Kunkel, Scott Piette, Douglas Perham
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Publication number: 20060236342Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that provide a user with efficient video-rich navigation (VRN) of media assets in an interactive media guidance application, such as an interactive program guide. A user can select a displayed video asset and perform an action on the selectable video asset, for example, using a remote control. The manner in which the video assets are displayed and the actions enabled for the particular video assets are defined by screen data transmitted to the user equipment in a VRN data feed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2006Publication date: October 19, 2006Inventors: Gerard Kunkel, Michael Ellis, Robert Knee, Jon Radloff
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Publication number: 20060230427Abstract: Method and system of providing a user interface. The method and system relating to the user of a media device to support displaying video and the user interface in a video rich fashion. The method and system may provide dynamic operations which provide increased functionality and interactivity, such as to provide a multi-functional user interface and navigation portal which provides aesthetically pleasing and functional mosaics of video, advertisements, textual and graphical displays, and other motion or non-motion based displays.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2005Publication date: October 12, 2006Inventors: Gerard Kunkel, Steve Silva, Ty Ahmad-Taylor, James Capps, Mitchell Weinraub, Gary Traver, Daniel Groustra, Michael Chen, Griffin Moore
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Publication number: 20050149981Abstract: A system and method for interactive broadcast of Internet web pages, or the like, on dedicated downstream channels in a cable television system or the like facilitates hyperlinking by a user from a broadcast television program to a web page, or between web pages, for example. In one embodiment, each user's set top is programmed with channel mapping information that maps each hyperlink request to a particular channel and time where the requested information is being broadcast in a multiplexed information stream. In response to receipt of a hyperlink request from a user actuating a remote control button, mouse or keyboard, the set top tunes to the appropriate one of the downstream channels, and downloads the web page or other information. In one embodiment to facilitate picture-in-picture capability using a single tuner, the tuner in the set top briefly tunes away from the video program to the appropriate data channel for receiving the hyperlink information.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2005Publication date: July 7, 2005Inventors: Joseph Augenbraun, Gerard Kunkel, Aaron Grosky, Bruce Plotnick
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Patent number: 6477579Abstract: A system and method for accessing Internet-based and other information through a user television in a television distribution network enables a user to access and view information which is related to the programming content of a currently viewed television broadcast. This concept, known as channel hyperlinking, enables a television viewer to download Internet Web pages, and the like, which are related to a currently viewed advertisement, program, newscast, etc. To facilitate channel hyperlinking, each user of the system sends channel hyperlink requests through an upstream channel to a network headend by actuating a hyperlink button on a television remote control, for example. The network headend is interfaced to the Internet by means of an Internet Service Provider (ISP), and downloads HTML Web page data from the Internet to the requesting user.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1999Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: WorldGate Service, Inc.Inventors: Gerard Kunkel, Harold Krisbergh, Aaron Grosky, Jae Hea Edward Lee, Joseph E. Augenbraun
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Patent number: 5961603Abstract: A system and method for accessing Internet-based and other information through a user television in a television distribution network enables a user to access and view information which is related to the programming content of a currently viewed television broadcast. This concept, known as channel hyperlinking, enables a television viewer to download Internet Web pages, and the like, which are related to a currently viewed advertisement, program, newscast, etc. To facilitate channel hyperlinking, each user of the system sends channel hyperlink requests through an upstream channel to a network headend by actuating a hyperlink button on a television remote control, for example. The network headend is interfaced to the Internet by means of an Internet Service Provider (ISP), and downloads HTML Web page data from the Internet to the requesting user.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1997Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: WorldGate Communications, Inc.Inventors: Gerard Kunkel, Harold Krisbergh, Aaron Grosky, Jae Hea Edward Lee, Joseph E. Augenbraun