Patents by Inventor Howard Look

Howard Look 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: 10587925
    Abstract: A television viewer interface system provides a viewer interface that allows the viewer to access different functions of a system. A highlight bar is responsive to the user's commands and is used to indicate the current menu item that can be selected by the user. Information is presented in a successive disclosure format where the user navigates through menus by moving the highlight bar to the right to obtain more information or to the left to see less information and return to the previous location. The background colors of each set of menus remains consistent throughout the user's experience such that the user intuitively knows what menu area he is in through the color cues. The invention provides indicators that tell the user that more information is available in a particular direction for a menu item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Look, Robert Vallone, David Avraham Brown, Karen Bedard, Wijnand Van Stam, Ain McKendrick
  • Publication number: 20190253767
    Abstract: A system for remotely controlling client recording and storage behavior schedules the recording, storing, and deleting of multimedia content on a client system storage device. The viewer may request that certain content be captured. Capture requests also allow the service to determine content to be recorded by the client system in the same manner that a viewer requests that certain content are recorded but are more powerful than what a viewer can request. Recording requests for a capture request can preempt viewer requests or be entered at the same or lower priority as a viewer request. Capture requests can adjust all aspects of a recording request and affect the capture request itself. Client system operational functionality are also manipulated by the service using capture requests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Paul Westbrook, Howard Look, James Young, Stephen Lacy, Timothy Davison, James M. Barton
  • Patent number: 10306331
    Abstract: A system for remotely controlling client recording and storage behavior schedules the recording, storing, and deleting of multimedia content on a client system storage device. The viewer may request that certain content be captured. Capture requests also allow the service to determine content to be recorded by the client system in the same manner that a viewer requests that certain content are recorded but are more powerful than what a viewer can request. Recording requests for a capture request can preempt viewer requests or be entered at the same or lower priority as a viewer request. Capture requests can adjust all aspects of a recording request and affect the capture request itself. Client system operational functionality are also manipulated by the service using capture requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Westbrook, Howard Look, James Young, Stephen Lacy, Timothy Davison, James M. Barton
  • Patent number: 10181338
    Abstract: A multimedia visual progress indication system that provides a cache bar that is overlaid onto the program material or displayed on a dedicated display. A cache bar indicates the length of a recording session or the length of stored program material and expands to the right when material is being recorded. Index and/or bookmark indicators are displayed next to the cache bar. A position indicator moves within the cache bar and tells the user visually where his current position is within the program material. Numeric time or counter mark of the current position is displayed in the vicinity of the cache bar. The trick play bar and its associated components are displayed for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Vallone, Howard Look, Ain McKendrick
  • Publication number: 20180190326
    Abstract: A multimedia visual progress indication system that provides a cache bar that is overlaid onto the program material or displayed on a dedicated display. A cache bar indicates the length of a recording session or the length of stored program material and expands to the right when material is being recorded. Index and/or bookmark indicators are displayed next to the cache bar. A position indicator moves within the cache bar and tells the user visually where his current position is within the program material. Numeric time or counter mark of the current position is displayed in the vicinity of the cache bar. The trick play bar and its associated components are displayed for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Vallone, Howard Look, Ain McKendrick
  • Patent number: 9812174
    Abstract: A multimedia visual progress indication system that provides a cache bar that is overlaid onto the program material or displayed on a dedicated display. A cache bar indicates the length of a recording session or the length of stored program material and expands to the right when material is being recorded. Index and/or bookmark indicators are displayed next to the cache bar. A position indicator moves within the cache bar and tells the user visually where his current position is within the program material. Numeric time or counter mark of the current position is displayed in the vicinity of the cache bar. The trick play bar and its associated components are displayed for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Vallone, Howard Look, Ain McKendrick
  • Publication number: 20170251266
    Abstract: A television viewer interface system provides a viewer interface that allows the viewer to access different functions of a system. A highlight bar is responsive to the user's commands and is used to indicate the current menu item that can be selected by the user. Information is presented in a successive disclosure format where the user navigates through menus by moving the highlight bar to the right to obtain more information or to the left to see less information and return to the previous location. The background colors of each set of menus remains consistent throughout the user's experience such that the user intuitively knows what menu area he is in through the color cues. The invention provides indicators that tell the user that more information is available in a particular direction for a menu item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Howard Look, Robert Vallone, David Avraham Brown, Karen Bedard, Wijnand Van Stam, Ain McKendrick
  • Patent number: 9686591
    Abstract: A television viewer interface system provides a viewer interface that allows the viewer to access different functions of a system. A highlight bar is responsive to the user's commands and is used to indicate the current menu item that can be selected by the user. Information is presented in a successive disclosure format where the user navigates through menus by moving the highlight bar to the right to obtain more information or to the left to see less information and return to the previous location. The background colors of each set of menus remains consistent throughout the user's experience such that the user intuitively knows what menu area he is in through the color cues. The invention provides indicators that tell the user that more information is available in a particular direction for a menu item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Look, Robert Vallone, David Avraham Brown, Karen Bedard, Wijnand Van Stam, Ain McKendrick
  • Patent number: 9674577
    Abstract: A data storage management and scheduling system schedules the recording, storing, and deleting of television and Web page program material on a client system storage medium. The invention accepts as input a prioritized list of program viewing preferences which is compared with a database of program guide objects which indicate when programs of interest are actually broadcast. A schedule of time versus available storage space is generated that is optimal for the viewer's explicit or derived preferred programs. The preferred programs include television broadcast programs and Universal Resource Locators (URLs). The viewer may request that certain programs be captured, which results in the highest possible priority for those programs, or express preferences using appurtenances provided through the viewer interface. Preferences may additionally be inferred from viewing patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Barton, Brian Beach, Howard Look, Karen Bedard
  • Publication number: 20170085961
    Abstract: A system for remotely controlling client recording and storage behavior schedules the recording, storing, and deleting of multimedia content on a client system storage device. The viewer may request that certain content be captured. Capture requests also allow the service to determine content to be recorded by the client system in the same manner that a viewer requests that certain content are recorded but are more powerful than what a viewer can request. Recording requests for a capture request can preempt viewer requests or be entered at the same or lower priority as a viewer request. Capture requests can adjust all aspects of a recording request and affect the capture request itself. Client system operational functionality are also manipulated by the service using capture requests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Paul Westbrook, Howard Look, James Young, Stephen Lacy, Timothy Davison, James M. Barton
  • Patent number: 9516393
    Abstract: A system for remotely controlling client recording and storage behavior schedules the recording, storing, and deleting of multimedia content on a client system storage device. The viewer may request that certain content be captured. Capture requests also allow the service to determine content to be recorded by the client system in the same manner that a viewer requests that certain content are recorded but are more powerful than what a viewer can request. Recording requests for a capture request can preempt viewer requests or be entered at the same or lower priority as a viewer request. Capture requests can adjust all aspects of a recording request and affect the capture request itself. Client system operational functionality are also manipulated by the service using capture requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Westbrook, Howard Look, James Young, Stephen Lacy, Timothy Davison, James M. Barton
  • Patent number: 9414127
    Abstract: A system for remotely controlling client recording and storage behavior schedules the recording, storing, and deleting of multimedia content on a client system storage device. The viewer may request that certain content be captured. Capture requests also allow the service to determine content to be recorded by the client system in the same manner that a viewer requests that certain content are recorded but are more powerful than what a viewer can request. Recording requests for a capture request can preempt viewer requests or be entered at the same or lower priority as a viewer request. Capture requests can adjust all aspects of a recording request and affect the capture request itself. Client system operational functionality are also manipulated by the service using capture requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Westbrook, Howard Look, James Young, Stephen Lacy, Timothy Davison, James M. Barton
  • Patent number: 9407891
    Abstract: A closed caption tagging system provides a mechanism for inserting tags into an audio or video television broadcast stream prior to or at the time of transmission. The receiver receives the broadcast stream and detects and processes the tags within the broadcast stream which is stored on a storage device that resides on the receiver. The tags contain command and control information that the receiver translates and acts upon. A one-touch recording option is provided. An icon is displayed to the viewer telling the viewer that an advertised program is available for recording at a future time. The viewer presses a single button on an input device causing the receiver to schedule the program for recording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Barton, Kevin Smith, David Chamberlin, Howard Look
  • Publication number: 20160155479
    Abstract: A multimedia visual progress indication system that provides a cache bar that is overlaid onto the program material or displayed on a dedicated display. A cache bar indicates the length of a recording session or the length of stored program material and expands to the right when material is being recorded. Index and/or bookmark indicators are displayed next to the cache bar. A position indicator moves within the cache bar and tells the user visually where his current position is within the program material. Numeric time or counter mark of the current position is displayed in the vicinity of the cache bar. The trick play bar and its associated components are displayed for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Vallone, Howard Look, Ain McKendrick
  • Patent number: 9274690
    Abstract: A multimedia visual progress indication system that provides a cache bar that is overlaid onto the program material or displayed on a dedicated display. A cache bar indicates the length of a recording session or the length of stored program material and expands to the right when material is being recorded. Index and/or bookmark indicators are displayed next to the cache bar. A position indicator moves within the cache bar and tells the user visually where his current position is within the program material. Numeric time or counter mark of the current position is displayed in the vicinity of the cache bar. The trick play bar and its associated components are displayed for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Vallone, Howard Look, Ain McKendrick
  • Publication number: 20160014472
    Abstract: A system for remotely controlling client recording and storage behavior schedules the recording, storing, and deleting of multimedia content on a client system storage device. The viewer may request that certain content be captured. Capture requests also allow the service to determine content to be recorded by the client system in the same manner that a viewer requests that certain content are recorded but are more powerful than what a viewer can request. Recording requests for a capture request can preempt viewer requests or be entered at the same or lower priority as a viewer request. Capture requests can adjust all aspects of a recording request and affect the capture request itself. Client system operational functionality are also manipulated by the service using capture requests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Paul Westbrook, Howard Look, James Young, Stephen Lacy, Timothy Davison, James M. Barton
  • Publication number: 20150319504
    Abstract: A system for remotely controlling client recording and storage behavior schedules the recording, storing, and deleting of multimedia content on a client system storage device. The viewer may request that certain content be captured. Capture requests also allow the service to determine content to be recorded by the client system in the same manner that a viewer requests that certain content are recorded but are more powerful than what a viewer can request. Recording requests for a capture request can preempt viewer requests or be entered at the same or lower priority as a viewer request. Capture requests can adjust all aspects of a recording request and affect the capture request itself. Client system operational functionality are also manipulated by the service using capture requests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Paul Westbrook, Howard Look, James Young, Stephen Lacy, Timothy Davison, James M. Barton
  • Patent number: 9113218
    Abstract: A television viewer interface system provides a viewer interface that allows the viewer to access different functions of a system. A highlight bar is responsive to the user's commands and is used to indicate the current menu item that can be selected by the user. Information is presented in a successive disclosure format where the user navigates through menus by moving the highlight bar to the right to obtain more information or to the left to see less information and return to the previous location. The background colors of each set of menus remains consistent throughout the user's experience such that the user intuitively knows what menu area he is in through the color cues. The invention provides indicators that tell the user that more information is available in a particular direction for a menu item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Look, Robert Vallone, David Avraham Brown, Karen Bedard, Wijnand Van Stam, Ain McKendrick
  • Patent number: 9113219
    Abstract: A television viewer interface system provides a viewer interface that allows the viewer to access different functions of a system. A highlight bar is responsive to the user's commands and is used to indicate the current menu item that can be selected by the user. Information is presented in a successive disclosure format where the user navigates through menus by moving the highlight bar to the right to obtain more information or to the left to see less information and return to the previous location. The background colors of each set of menus remains consistent throughout the user's experience such that the user intuitively knows what menu area he is in through the color cues. The invention provides indicators that tell the user that more information is available in a particular direction for a menu item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Look, Robert Vallone, David Avraham Brown, Karen Bedard, Wijnand Van Stam, Ain McKendrick
  • Patent number: 9106881
    Abstract: A tagging system provides a mechanism for inserting tags into an audio or video television broadcast stream. The tags contain command and control information that the receiver translates and acts upon. The receiver receives the broadcast stream and detects and processes the tags within the broadcast stream which is stored on a storage device that resides on the receiver. Program material from the broadcast stream is played back to the viewer. The receiver performs the appropriate actions in response to the tags. A one-touch recording option is provided. An icon is displayed to the viewer telling the viewer that an advertised program is available for recording at a future time. The viewer presses a single button on an input device causing the receiver to schedule the program for recording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Barton, Kevin Smith, David Chamberlin, Howard Look