Patents by Inventor John Stefanik

John Stefanik 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: 9712883
    Abstract: A user interface is presented on a monitor of a media device for providing information about available programs. The user interface includes an array having three columns (channel, current show, and next show) with commonly aligned rows. Each row of the channel column includes an indicator. Each row of the current show column includes a title naming a program currently available on a channel of the media device corresponding to the indicator in a commonly aligned row of the channel column. Each row of the next show column includes a title naming a show available after the current program on the same channel. The currently available program may be displayed on the monitor in response to a viewer selected row, indicator, and/or title in the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Scott R. Swix, John Stefanik
  • Patent number: 9038109
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for generating an enhanced programming guide. Programming events are associated as packages of programming. The programming guide is generated as a programming grid of cells. The programming grid lists a wrapper associated with each package and each package's associated events. The wrapper surrounds all the cells in the programming grid that are associated with the events for each package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: David Steading, John Stefanik
  • Publication number: 20150020108
    Abstract: A user interface is presented on a monitor of a media device for providing information about available programs. The user interface includes an array having three columns (channel, current show, and next show) with commonly aligned rows. Each row of the channel column includes an indicator. Each row of the current show column includes a title naming a program currently available on a channel of the media device corresponding to the indicator in a commonly aligned row of the channel column. Each row of the next show column includes a title naming a show available after the current program on the same channel. The currently available program may be displayed on the monitor in response to a viewer selected row, indicator, and/or title in the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Scott R. Swix, John Stefanik
  • Patent number: 8739220
    Abstract: A user interface is presented on a monitor of a media device for providing information about available programs. The user interface includes an array having three columns (channel, current show, and next show) with commonly aligned rows. Each row of the channel column includes an indicator. Each row of the current show column includes a title naming a program currently available on a channel of the media device corresponding to the indicator in a commonly aligned row of the channel column. Each row of the next show column includes a title naming a show available after the current program on the same channel. The currently available program may be displayed on the monitor in response to a viewer selected row, indicator, and/or title in the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Scott R. Swix, John Stefanik
  • Patent number: 8401362
    Abstract: A user is able to select a multimedia stream from a plurality of multimedia streams available at a multimedia receiver. The availability of one or more trickplay features for the selected multimedia stream is determined in response to the selection of the multimedia stream. A visual indicator, an audible indicator, or both are selectively provided for display/output based on the determined availability status of the corresponding trickplay feature. The selective provision of a trickplay indicator can include providing a first trickplay indicator when the trickplay feature is available and providing a second, different trickplay indicator when the trickplay feature is unavailable. Alternately, the selective provision of a trickplay indicator includes providing the trickplay indicator when the trickplay feature is unavailable and omitting provision of the trickplay indicator when the trickplay feature is available, or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James Carlton Bedingfield, Sr., John Stefanik
  • Publication number: 20130014166
    Abstract: A user interface is presented on a monitor of a media device for providing information about available programs. The user interface includes an array having three columns (channel, current show, and next show) with commonly aligned rows. Each row of the channel column includes an indicator. Each row of the current show column includes a title naming a program currently available on a channel of the media device corresponding to the indicator in a commonly aligned row of the channel column. Each row of the next show column includes a title naming a show available after the current program on the same channel. The currently available program may be displayed on the monitor in response to a viewer selected row, indicator, and/or title in the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. via transfer from BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: Scott R. Swix, John Stefanik
  • Patent number: 8291450
    Abstract: A user interface is presented on a monitor of a media device for providing information about available programs. The user interface includes an array having three columns (channel, current show, and next show) with commonly aligned rows. Each row of the channel column includes an indicator. Each row of the current show column includes a title naming a program currently available on a channel of the media device corresponding to the indicator in a commonly aligned row of the channel column. Each row of the next show column includes a title naming a show available after the current program on the same channel. The currently available program may be displayed on the monitor in response to a viewer selected row, indicator, and/or title in the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Scott R. Swix, John Stefanik
  • Patent number: 8165446
    Abstract: A user is able to select a multimedia stream from a plurality of multimedia streams available at a multimedia receiver. The availability of one or more trickplay features for the selected multimedia stream is determined in response to the selection of the multimedia stream. A visual indicator, an audible indicator, or both are selectively provided for display/output based on the determined availability status of the corresponding trickplay feature. The selective provision of a trickplay indicator can include providing a first trickplay indicator when the trickplay feature is available and providing a second, different trickplay indicator when the trickplay feature is unavailable. Alternately, the selective provision of a trickplay indicator includes providing the trickplay indicator when the trickplay feature is unavailable and omitting provision of the trickplay indicator when the trickplay feature is available, or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: James Carlton Bedingfield, Sr., John Stefanik
  • Patent number: 7890380
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for implementing sales of products featured in a program is provided. The method includes associating an object featured in the program with the program and a product. The product corresponds to the object in the program. The method includes receiving a request relating to the object featured in the program and presenting product information associated with the product corresponding to the object in response to the request relating to the object. The method further includes generating an order for the product in response to a request to purchase the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: John Stefanik, Phillip Weeks, Charles P. Bradley, E-Lee Chang, Tuck Seng Tan, Lawrence K. Tucker
  • Publication number: 20100088725
    Abstract: A user interface is presented on a monitor of a media device for providing information about available programs. The user interface includes an array having three columns (channel, current show, and next show) with commonly aligned rows. Each row of the channel column includes an indicator. Each row of the current show column includes a title naming a program currently available on a channel of the media device corresponding to the indicator in a commonly aligned row of the channel column. Each row of the next show column includes a title naming a show available after the current program on the same channel. The currently available program may be displayed on the monitor in response to a viewer selected row, indicator, and/or title in the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Scott R. Swix, John Stefanik
  • Patent number: 7650618
    Abstract: A user interface is presented on a monitor of a media device for providing information about available programs. The user interface includes an array having three columns (channel, current show, and next show) with commonly aligned rows. Each row of the channel column includes an indicator. Each row of the current show column includes a title naming a program currently available on a channel of the media device corresponding to the indicator in a commonly aligned row of the channel column. Each row of the next show column includes a title naming a show available after the current program on the same channel. The currently available program may be displayed on the monitor in response to a viewer selected row, indicator, and/or title in the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, I, L.P.
    Inventors: Scott R. Swix, John Stefanik
  • Publication number: 20090269025
    Abstract: A user is able to select a multimedia stream from a plurality of multimedia streams available at a multimedia receiver. The availability of one or more trickplay features for the selected multimedia stream is determined in response to the selection of the multimedia stream. A visual indicator, an audible indicator, or both are selectively provided for display/output based on the determined availability status of the corresponding trickplay feature. The selective provision of a trickplay indicator can include providing a first trickplay indicator when the trickplay feature is available and providing a second, different trickplay indicator when the trickplay feature is unavailable. Alternately, the selective provision of a trickplay indicator includes providing the trickplay indicator when the trickplay feature is unavailable and omitting provision of the trickplay indicator when the trickplay feature is available, or vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, LP
    Inventors: James Carlton Bedingfield, SR., John Stefanik
  • Patent number: 7600245
    Abstract: A program source is linked to event information, which is coupled via a broadcast programming communication system to a number of subscribers. Each of the subscribers to the broadcast communication system has a device for displaying programming information. The subscriber is able to perform a variety of functions to select a program of interest. Subscribers can select, view, and purchase packages or events therein. The subscriber can scroll from event wrapper to event wrapper, within the same product or between products. Furthermore, while in the product scrolling mode the subscriber may interactively purchase a multi-event PPV product by using command buttons on a remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: David Steading, John Stefanik
  • Publication number: 20090133068
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for generating an enhanced programming guide. Programming events are associated as packages of programming. The programming guide is generated as a programming grid of cells. The programming grid lists a wrapper associated with each package and each package's associated events. The wrapper surrounds all the cells in the programming grid that are associated with the events for each package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: David Steading, John Stefanik
  • Publication number: 20080281684
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for implementing sales of products featured in a program is provided. The method includes associating an object featured in the program with the program and a product. The product corresponds to the object in the program. The method includes receiving a request relating to the object featured in the program and presenting product information associated with the product corresponding to the object in response to the request relating to the object. The method further includes generating an order for the product in response to a request to purchase the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Stefanik, Phillip Weeks, Charles P. Bradley, E-Lee Chang, Tuck Seng Tan, Lawrence K. Tucker, IV
  • Publication number: 20080066091
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing content previewing services is provided. The method includes associating a content preview with a program descriptor that identifies a program in an onscreen programming guide database of programming content listings. The method also includes presenting the content preview to a program receiving device responsive to selection of the program descriptor. The content preview provides information about the program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: John Stefanik, Phillip Weeks, Charles P. Bradley, E-Lee Chang, Tuck Seng Tan, Kitt Tucker
  • Publication number: 20070080846
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for a remote control device. Means for detecting orientation of the remote control device couples to a processor. The processor is operative to change a mode of operation of the remote control device in response to a change in the orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventor: John Stefanik
  • Publication number: 20070067810
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for automated control of devices. A tag is received with Electronic Programming Guide data, and the tag includes control data. The tag is stripped from the Electronic Programming Guide data and communicated to a device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: George Durden, John Stefanik
  • Publication number: 20050251820
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed that target content to a subscriber. One such device has a processor communicating with memory. The processor receives a library of content associated with a demographic and stores the library in memory. The processor receives an instruction to retrieve particular content from the library of content and inserts the particular content in an insertion slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: John Stefanik, Robert Koch
  • Publication number: 20050235318
    Abstract: An interactive media delivery system enables interactive media programming to a multimedia device and also tracks a subscriber's use of the multimedia device. For example, the device tracks events, such as a change in programming, a change in channel selection, and/or the subscriber's interaction with a particular interactive services application. Each event may be stored as an event record in a database, and one or more of the event records may be merged with content data to form event timelines of programming or other activity to the multimedia device over a selected time period. Further, timelines may be analyzed to generate ratings and other information about programming and may also be correlated with demographics data for marketing analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Edward Grauch, John Batten, Fred Danner, Scott Swix, John Stefanik