Patents by Inventor Joseph P. Baumgartner

Joseph P. Baumgartner 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: 20210160554
    Abstract: Methods and systems that provide enhanced personal video recorder (“PVR”) and interactive television program guide (“IPG”) functionality are provided. An interactive television application (“application”) may be implemented to provide such functionality. The application may be used to display a list of PVR recordings, to schedule recordings to a PVR, to configure recordings, to view a list of scheduled recordings, to configure recording settings, or to select delete priority settings for recordings. The application may integrate pay-per-view and PVR functionality. The application may send user notifications for changes that are to be made to the recording content of a PVR. Live programming may be buffered by the application using a straight buffers that are created for each new program. Parallel buffers for concurrent programs may be implemented using multiple tuners. Straight buffers may be used in managing or controlling the flow of programming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Danny R. Gaydou, M. Scott Reichardt, Joseph P. Baumgartner, William L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10951927
    Abstract: Methods and systems that provide enhanced personal video recorder (“PVR”) and interactive television program guide (“IPG”) functionality are provided. An interactive television application (“application”) may be implemented to provide such functionality. The application may be used to display a list of PVR recordings, to schedule recordings to a PVR, to configure recordings, to view a list of scheduled recordings, to configure recording settings, or to select delete priority settings for recordings. The application may integrate pay-per-view and PVR functionality. The application may send user notifications for changes that are to be made to the recording content of a PVR. Live programming may be buffered by the application using a straight buffers that are created for each new program. Parallel buffers for concurrent programs may be implemented using multiple tuners. Straight buffers may be used in managing or controlling the flow of programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Danny R. Gaydou, M. Scott Reichardt, Joseph P. Baumgartner, William L. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20180255328
    Abstract: Methods and systems that provide enhanced personal video recorder (“PVR”) and interactive television program guide (“IPG”) functionality are provided. An interactive television application (“application”) may be implemented to provide such functionality. The application may be used to display a list of PVR recordings, to schedule recordings to a PVR, to configure recordings, to view a list of scheduled recordings, to configure recording settings, or to select delete priority settings for recordings. The application may integrate pay-per-view and PVR functionality. The application may send user notifications for changes that are to be made to the recording content of a PVR. Live programming may be buffered by the application using a straight buffers that are created for each new program. Parallel buffers for concurrent programs may be implemented using multiple tuners. Straight buffers may be used in managing or controlling the flow of programming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Danny R. Gaydou, M. Scott Reichardt, Joseph P. Baumgartner, William L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10021443
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing an interactive television system for recording television programming. The interactive television system may include components for providing personal video recorder (PVR) functionality, such as an interactive television program guide (IPG), PVR extensions, PVR application programming interfaces (APIs), a PVR device, any suitable hardware or software, or a combination thereof. These components may be implemented in, for example, an arrangement having an integrated PVR-compliant device with a PVR device, or in an arrangement having a PVR-compliant device (e.g., a set-top box) coupled to PVR equipment (e.g., a remote PVR server or a PVR sidecar) with a PVR device. The PVR-compliant device may include software and hardware configured to implement the IPG. The PVR APIs may be a library of intelligent vendor-specific and vendor-independent APIs able to determine the type of PVR device being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Baumgartner, Kenneth F. Carpenter, Jr., Michael D. Ellis, Danny R. Gaydou, II
  • Patent number: 9930374
    Abstract: Methods and systems that provide enhanced personal video recorder (“PVR”) and interactive television program guide (“IPG”) functionality are provided. An interactive television application (“application”) may be implemented to provide such functionality. The application may be used to display a list of PVR recordings, to schedule recordings to a PVR, to configure recordings, to view a list of scheduled recordings, to configure recording settings, or to select delete priority settings for recordings. The application may integrate pay-per-view and PVR functionality. The application may send user notifications for changes that are to be made to the recording content of a PVR. Live programming may be buffered by the application using a straight buffers that are created for each new program. Parallel buffers for concurrent programs may be implemented using multiple tuners. Straight buffers may be used in managing or controlling the flow of programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Danny R. Gaydou, M. Scott Reichardt, Joseph P. Baumgartner, William L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9648358
    Abstract: Methods and systems that provide enhanced personal video recorder (“PVR”) and interactive television program guide (“IPG”) functionality are provided. An interactive television application may be used to display a list of PVR recordings, schedule recordings to a PVR, configure recordings, view a list of scheduled recordings, configure recording settings, or select delete priority settings for recordings. The application may integrate pay-per-view and PVR functionality. The application may send user notifications for changes that are to be made to the recording content of a PVR. Live programming may be buffered by the application using straight buffers that are created for each new program. Parallel buffers for concurrent programs may be implemented using multiple tuners. Straight buffers may be used in managing or controlling the flow of programming. Television content may be automatically paused when a user is engaged in using the application. Multiple IPGs for different users of a PVR may be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Danny R. Gaydou, M. Scott Reichardt, Joseph P. Baumgartner, William L. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20170048575
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing an interactive television system for recording television programming. The interactive television system may include components for providing personal video recorder (PVR) functionality, such as an interactive television program guide (IPG), PVR extensions, PVR application programming interfaces (APIs), a PVR device, any suitable hardware or software, or a combination thereof. These components may be implemented in, for example, an arrangement having an integrated PVR-compliant device with a PVR device, or in an arrangement having a PVR-compliant device (e.g., a set-top box) coupled to PVR equipment (e.g., a remote PVR server or a PVR sidecar) with a PVR device. The PVR-compliant device may include software and hardware configured to implement the IPG. The PVR APIs may be a library of intelligent vendor-specific and vendor-independent APIs able to determine the type of PVR device being used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph P. Baumgartner, Kenneth F. Carpenter, JR., Michael D. Ellis, Danny R. Gaydou, II
  • Patent number: 9491500
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing an interactive television system for recording television programming. The interactive television system may include components for providing personal video recorder (PVR) functionality, such as an interactive television program guide (IPG), PVR extensions, PVR application programming interfaces (APIs), a PVR device, any suitable hardware or software, or a combination thereof. These components may be implemented in, for example, an arrangement having an integrated PVR-compliant device with a PVR device, or in an arrangement having a PVR-compliant device (e.g., a set-top box) coupled to PVR equipment (e.g., a remote PVR server or a PVR sidecar) with a PVR device. The PVR-compliant device may include software and hardware configured to implement the IPG. The PVR APIs may be a library of intelligent vendor-specific and vendor-independent APIs able to determine the type of PVR device being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Baumgartner, Kenneth F. Carpenter, Jr., Michael D. Ellis, Danny R. Gaydou, II
  • Publication number: 20160219313
    Abstract: Methods and systems that provide enhanced personal video recorder (“PVR”) and interactive television program guide (“IPG”) functionality are provided. An interactive television application may be used to display a list of PVR recordings, schedule recordings to a PVR, configure recordings, view a list of scheduled recordings, configure recording settings, or select delete priority settings for recordings. The application may integrate pay-per-view and PVR functionality. The application may send user notifications for changes that are to be made to the recording content of a PVR. Live programming may be buffered by the application using straight buffers that are created for each new program. Parallel buffers for concurrent programs may be implemented using multiple tuners. Straight buffers may be used in managing or controlling the flow of programming. Television content may be automatically paused when a user is engaged in using the application. Multiple IPGs for different users of a PVR may be implemented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Danny R. Gaydou, M. Scott Reichardt, Joseph P. Baumgartner, William L. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20160127797
    Abstract: Methods and systems that provide enhanced personal video recorder (“PVR”) and interactive television program guide (“IPG”) functionality are provided. An interactive television application (“application”) may be implemented to provide such functionality. The application may be used to display a list of PVR recordings, to schedule recordings to a PVR, to configure recordings, to view a list of scheduled recordings, to configure recording settings, or to select delete priority settings for recordings. The application may integrate pay-per-view and PVR functionality. The application may send user notifications for changes that are to be made to the recording content of a PVR. Live programming may be buffered by the application using a straight buffers that are created for each new program. Parallel buffers for concurrent programs may be implemented using multiple tuners. Straight buffers may be used in managing or controlling the flow of programming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Danny R. Gaydou, M. Scott Reichardt, Joseph P. Baumgartner, William L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9197916
    Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating and enforcing viewing and recording limits for media-on-demand are provided. The system may provide a guidance application that allows users to select on-demand media offerings. The delivery of the on-demand media offerings may be managed based on the length of program, the bandwidth required, the available bandwidth, the time of delivery, pricing and other factors. The system may manage the delivery of on-demand offerings by assigning a number of different types of viewing rights to a user when an on-demand offering is selected. The system may warn a user of insufficient rights and enforce selected viewing rights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, Joseph P. Baumgartner
  • Publication number: 20150201231
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing an interactive television system for recording television programming. The interactive television system may include components for providing personal video recorder (PVR) functionality, such as an interactive television program guide (IPG), PVR extensions, PVR application programming interfaces (APIs), a PVR device, any suitable hardware or software, or a combination thereof. These components may be implemented in, for example, an arrangement having an integrated PVR-compliant device with a PVR device, or in an arrangement having a PVR-compliant device (e.g., a set-top box) coupled to PVR equipment (e.g., a remote PVR server or a PVR sidecar) with a PVR device. The PVR-compliant device may include software and hardware configured to implement the IPG. The PVR APIs may be a library of intelligent vendor-specific and vendor-independent APIs able to determine the type of PVR device being used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph P. Baumgartner, Kenneth F. Carpenter, Jr., Michael D. Ellis, Danny R. Gaydou, II
  • Patent number: 9055322
    Abstract: Methods and systems that provide enhanced personal video recorder (“PVR”) and interactive television program guide (“IPG”) functionality are provided. An interactive television application may be used to display a list of PVR recordings, schedule recordings to a PVR, configure recordings, view a list of scheduled recordings, configure recording settings, or select delete priority settings for recordings. The application may integrate pay-per-view and PVR functionality. The application may send user notifications for changes that are to be made to the recording content of a PVR. Live programming may be buffered by the application using straight buffers that are created for each new program. Parallel buffers for concurrent programs may be implemented using multiple tuners. Straight buffers may be used in managing or controlling the flow of programming. Television content may be automatically paused when a user is using the application. Multiple IPGs for different users of a PVR may be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Danny R. Gaydou, M. Scott Reichardt, Joseph P. Baumgartner, William L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8893194
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing an interactive television system for recording television programming. The interactive television system may include components for providing personal video recorder (PVR) functionality, such as an interactive television program guide (IPG), PVR extensions, PVR application programming interfaces (APIs), a PVR device, any suitable hardware or software, or a combination thereof. These components may be implemented in, for example, an arrangement having an integrated PVR-compliant device with a PVR device, or in an arrangement having a PVR-compliant device (e.g., a set-top box) coupled to PVR equipment (e.g., a remote PVR server or a PVR sidecar) with a PVR device. The PVR-compliant device may include software and hardware configured to implement the IPG. The PVR APIs may be a library of intelligent vendor-specific and vendor-independent APIs able to determine the type of PVR device being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Baumgartner, Kenneth F. Carpenter, Jr., Michael D. Ellis, Danny R. Gaydou
  • Publication number: 20140212113
    Abstract: Methods and systems that provide enhanced personal video recorder (“PVR”) and interactive television program guide (“IPG”) functionality are provided. An interactive television application may be used to display a list of PVR recordings, schedule recordings to a PVR, configure recordings, view a list of scheduled recordings, configure recording settings, or select delete priority settings for recordings. The application may integrate pay-per-view and PVR functionality. The application may send user notifications for changes that are to be made to the recording content of a PVR. Live programming may be buffered by the application using straight buffers that are created for each new program. Parallel buffers for concurrent programs may be implemented using multiple tuners. Straight buffers may be used in managing or controlling the flow of programming. Television content may be automatically paused when a user is using the application. Multiple IPGs for different users of a PVR may be implemented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Danny R. Gaydou, M. Scott Reichardt, Joseph P. Baumgartner, William L. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140208365
    Abstract: Methods and systems that provide enhanced personal video recorder (“PVR”) and interactive television program guide (“IPG”) functionality are provided. An interactive television application may be used to display a list of PVR recordings, schedule recordings to a PVR, configure recordings, view a list of scheduled recordings, configure recording settings, or select delete priority settings for recordings. The application may integrate pay-per-view and PVR functionality. The application may send user notifications for changes that are to be made to the recording content of a PVR. Live programming may be buffered by the application using straight buffers that are created for each new program. Parallel buffers for concurrent programs may be implemented using multiple tuners. Straight buffers may be used in managing or controlling the flow of programming. Television content may be automatically paused when a user is using the application. Multiple IPGs for different users of a PVR may be implemented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Danny R. Gaydou, M. Scott Reichardt, Joseph P. Baumgartner, William L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8768147
    Abstract: Methods and systems that provide enhanced personal video recorder (“PVR”) and interactive television program guide (“IPG”) functionality are provided. An interactive television application (“application”) may be implemented to provide such functionality. The application may be used to display a list of PVR recordings, to schedule recordings to a PVR, to configure recordings, to view a list of scheduled recordings, to configure recording settings, or to select delete priority settings for recordings. The application may integrate pay-per-view and PVR functionality. The application may send user notifications for changes that are to be made to the recording content of a PVR. Live programming may be buffered by the application using a straight buffers that are created for each new program. Parallel buffers for concurrent programs may be implemented using multiple tuners. Straight buffers may be used in managing or controlling the flow of programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Danny R. Gaydou, M. Scott Reichardt, Joseph P. Baumgartner, William L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8457475
    Abstract: Methods and systems that provide enhanced personal video recorder (“PVR”) and interactive television program guide (“IPG”) functionality are provided. An interactive television application (“application”) may be implemented to provide such functionality. The application may be used to display a list of PVR recordings, to schedule recordings to a PVR, to configure recordings, to view a list of scheduled recordings, to configure recording settings, or to select delete priority settings for recordings. The application may integrate pay-per-view and PVR functionality. The application may send user notifications for changes that are to be made to the recording content of a PVR. Live programming may be buffered by the application using a straight buffers that are created for each new program. Parallel buffers for concurrent programs may be implemented using multiple tuners. Straight buffers may be used in managing or controlling the flow of programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D Ellis, Danny R Gaydou, M. Scott Reichardt, Joseph P Baumgartner, William L Thomas
  • Publication number: 20130014186
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing the distribution of on-demand media in an interactive television application are provided. An interactive television application may receive a request for on-demand media from a user. The interactive television application may provide an option to the user for the transmission of the on-demand media. Such options may include, for example, an option to request a reduced-bandwidth version of the on-demand media, an option to schedule a future time for presentation of the on-demand media, an option to download the on-demand media to a recording device, and an option to check the availability of the on-demand media. A reduced price for transmission of the on-demand media may be provided to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, David M. Berezowski, Kevin B. Easterbrook, Joseph P. Baumgartner, W. Benjamin Herrington
  • Publication number: 20120324518
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing supplemental content with on-demand media in an interactive television application are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, David M. Berezowski, Kevin B. Easterbrook, Joseph P. Baumgartner