Patents by Inventor Kevin B. Easterbrook
Kevin B. Easterbrook 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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Publication number: 20140040938Abstract: A system and method may be provided that allows users to store, retrieve, and manipulate on-demand media content and data stored on a remote server network in an on-demand media delivery system. More particularly, the system may allow a user to access his or her on-demand media account from user equipment in different locations as long as the current user equipment can communicate with a remote server that stores user-specific information. The system upon user selection may freeze the delivery of on-demand media at a particular point and allow the user to resume the media at a later time from some other network location in system. Users may upload personal images or files to an on-demand delivery server for later retrieval and display. Users may be permitted to assign access rights to the uploaded files.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.Inventors: William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, Kevin B. Easterbrook, M. Scott Reichardt, Robert A. Knee
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Patent number: 8584184Abstract: A system and method may be provided that allows users to store, retrieve, and manipulate on-demand media content and data stored on a remote server network in an on-demand media delivery system. More particularly, the system may allow a user to access his or her on-demand media account from user equipment in different locations as long as the current user equipment can communicate with a remote server that stores user-specific information. The system upon user selection may freeze the delivery of on-demand media at a particular point and allow the user to resume the media at a later time from some other network location in system. Users may upload personal images or files to an on-demand delivery server for later retrieval and display. Users may be permitted to assign access rights to the uploaded files.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.Inventors: William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, Kevin B. Easterbrook, M. Scott Reichardt, Robert A. Knee
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Publication number: 20130268970Abstract: An interactive television program guide is provided. The interactive television program guide provides a user with the opportunity to select a language for playing television programming and displaying program guide text. Television program audio in the desired language may be obtained from a SAP or digital audio track and played in the selected language. Television related information in the desired language may be obtained from a digital track. If television program audio or related information is not provided in the selected language, the program guide may use a default language. The program guide may coordinate program guide display screen text with languages available for television programs when the programs are broadcast to users.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2013Publication date: October 10, 2013Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, W. Benjamin Herrington, Steven C. Williamson, Kevin B. Easterbrook, Joshua A. Rosenthol, David M. Rudnick
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Patent number: 8479233Abstract: An interactive television program guide is provided. The interactive television program guide provides a user with the opportunity to select a language for playing television programming and displaying program guide text. Television program audio in the desired language may be obtained from a SAP or digital audio track and played in the selected language. Television related information in the desired language may be obtained from a digital track. If television program audio or related information is not provided in the selected language, the program guide may use a default language. The program guide may coordinate program guide display screen text with languages available for television programs when the programs are broadcast to users.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2011Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, W. Benjamin Herrington, Steven C. Williamson, Kevin B. Easterbrook, Joshua A. Rosenthol, David M. Rudnick
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Publication number: 20130014186Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.Inventors: William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, David M. Berezowski, Kevin B. Easterbrook, Joseph P. Baumgartner, W. Benjamin Herrington
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Publication number: 20130007808Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a user may inform a program guide of the user's interests. Information on the user's interests may be stored in a preference profile. There may be more than one preference profile, each for a different user. Each preference profile contains a number of preference attributes (program titles, genres, viewing times, channels, broadcast characteristics, etc.). A preference level (e.g., strong or weak like, strong or weak dislike, illegal, mandatory, don't care, etc.) that is indicative of the user's level of interest is associated with each preference attribute. Preference profiles may be used to restrict the programs that are listed in various program listings display screens and may be used to limit the channels to which the program guide allows the user to tune.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Edward B. Knudson, Thomas R. Lemmons, Joel G. Hassell, Robert A. Knee, Kevin B. Easterbrook
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Publication number: 20120324518Abstract: Systems and methods for providing supplemental content with on-demand media in an interactive television application are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc.Inventors: William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, David M. Berezowski, Kevin B. Easterbrook, Joseph P. Baumgartner
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Patent number: 8291461Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.Inventors: William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, David M. Berezowski, Kevin B. Easterbrook, Joseph P. Baumgartner, W. Benjamin Herrington
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Publication number: 20110225613Abstract: An interactive television program guide is provided. The interactive television program guide provides a user with the opportunity to select a language for playing television programming and displaying program guide text. Television program audio in the desired language may be obtained from a SAP or digital audio track and played in the selected language. Television related information in the desired language may be obtained from a digital track. If television program audio or related information is not provided in the selected language, the program guide may use a default language. The program guide may coordinate program guide display screen text with languages available for television programs when the programs are broadcast to users.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, W. Benjamin Herrington, Steven C. Williamson, Kevin B. Easterbrook, Joshua A. Rosenthol, David M. Rudnick
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Publication number: 20110209180Abstract: A system is provided in which an interactive television program guide application and non-program-guide applications are at least partially implemented on user television equipment. A program guide program application interface is provided that is used to maintain a consistent user interface between the program guide application and the non-program-guide applications. Non-program-guide applications may be launched by the program guide application. The user may select certain non-program-guide applications as favorites and may set parental controls for certain non-program-guide applications. The program guide application may run in the background while a non-program-guide application operates. While the non-program-guide application operates, the program guide may check for events that require immediate attention.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2011Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, William L. Thomas, Edward B. Knudson, Joel G. Hassell, Kevin B. Easterbrook
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Publication number: 20110131607Abstract: A system and method may be provided that allows users to store, retrieve, and manipulate on-demand media content and data stored on a remote server network in an on-demand media delivery system. More particularly, the system may allow a user to access his or her on-demand media account from user equipment in different locations as long as the current user equipment can communicate with a remote server that stores user-specific information. The system upon user selection may freeze the delivery of on-demand media at a particular point and allow the user to resume the media at a later time from some other network location in system. Users may upload personal images or files to an on-demand delivery server for later retrieval and display. Users may be permitted to assign access rights to the uploaded files.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2011Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.Inventors: William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, Kevin B. Easterbrook, M. Scott Reichardt, Robert A. Knee
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Patent number: 7930719Abstract: An interactive television program guide is provided. The interactive television program guide provides a user with the opportunity to select a language for playing television programming and displaying program guide text. Television program audio in the desired language may be obtained from a SAP or digital audio track and played in the selected language. Television related information in the desired language may be obtained from a digital track. If television program audio or related information is not provided in the selected language, the program guide may use a default language. The program guide may coordinate program guide display screen text with languages available for television programs when the programs are broadcast to users.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2008Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, W. Benjamin Herrington, Steven C. Williamson, Kevin B. Easterbrook, Joshua A. Rosenthol, David M. Rudnick
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Patent number: 7917933Abstract: A system and method may be provided that allows users to store, retrieve, and manipulate on-demand media content and data stored on a remote server network in an on-demand media delivery system. More particularly, the system may allow a user to access his or her on-demand media account from user equipment in different locations as long as the current user equipment can communicate with a remote server that stores user-specific information. The system upon user selection may freeze the delivery of on-demand media at a particular point and allow the user to resume the media at a later time from some other network location in system. Users may upload personal images or files to an on-demand delivery server for later retrieval and display. Users may be permitted to assign access rights to the uploaded files.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.Inventors: William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, Kevin B. Easterbrook, M. Scott Reichardt, Robert A. Knee
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Publication number: 20100186025Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2009Publication date: July 22, 2010Applicant: UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.Inventors: William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, David M. Berezowski, Kevin B. Easterbrook, Joseph P. Baumgartner, W. Benjamin Herrington
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Patent number: 7650621Abstract: A system and method may be provided that allows users to store, retrieve, and manipulate on-demand media content and data stored on a remote server network in an on-demand media delivery system. More particularly, the system may allow a user to access his or her on-demand media account from user equipment in different locations as long as the current user equipment can communicate with a remote server that stores user-specific information. The system upon user selection may freeze the delivery of on-demand media at a particular point and allow the user to resume the media at a later time from some other network location in system. Users may upload personal images or files to an on-demand delivery server for later retrieval and display. Users may be permitted to assign access rights to the uploaded files.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2001Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.Inventors: William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, Kevin B. Easterbrook, M. Scott Reichardt, Robert A. Knee
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Publication number: 20090158347Abstract: An interactive television program guide is provided. The interactive television program guide provides a user with the opportunity to select a language for playing television programming and displaying program guide text. Television program audio in the desired language may be obtained from a SAP or digital audio track and played in the selected language. Television related information in the desired language may be obtained from a digital track. If television program audio or related information is not provided in the selected language, the program guide may use a default language. The program guide may coordinate program guide display screen text with languages available for television programs when the programs are broadcast to users.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, W. Benjamin Herrington, Steven C. Williamson, Kevin B. Easterbrook, Joshua A. Rosenthol, David M. Rudnick
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Publication number: 20090138922Abstract: A system and method may be provided that allows users to store, retrieve, and manipulate on-demand media content and data stored on a remote server network in an on-demand media delivery system. More particularly, the system may allow a user to access his or her on-demand media account from user equipment in different locations as long as the current user equipment can communicate with a remote server that stores user-specific information. The system upon user selection may freeze the delivery of on-demand media at a particular point and allow the user to resume the media at a later time from some other network location in system. Users may upload personal images or files to an on-demand delivery server for later retrieval and display. Users may be permitted to assign access rights to the uploaded files.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2008Publication date: May 28, 2009Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc.Inventors: William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, Kevin B. Easterbrook, M. Scott Reichardt, Robert A. Knee
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Publication number: 20090070817Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a user may inform a program guide of the user's interests. Information on the user's interests may be stored in a preference profile. There may be more than one preference profile, each for a different user. Each preference profile contains a number of preference attributes (program titles, genres, viewing times, channels, broadcast characteristics, etc.). A preference level (e.g., strong or weak like, strong or weak dislike, illegal, mandatory, don't care, etc.) that is indicative of the user's level of interest is associated with each preference attribute. Preference profiles may be used to restrict the programs that are listed in various program listings display screens and may be used to limit the channels to which the program guide allows the user to tune.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2007Publication date: March 12, 2009Applicant: TV Guide Networks, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Edward B. Knudson, Thomas R. Lemmons, Joel G. Hassell, Robert A. Knee, Kevin B. Easterbrook
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Patent number: 7487527Abstract: An interactive television program guide is provided. The interactive television program guide provides a user with the opportunity to select a language for playing television programming and displaying program guide text. Television program audio in the desired language may be obtained from a SAP or digital audio track and played in the selected language. Television related information in the desired language may be obtained from a digital track. If television program audio or related information is not provided in the selected language, the program guide may use a default language. The program guide may coordinate program guide display screen text with languages available for television programs when the programs are broadcast to users.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2006Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.Inventors: Michael D Ellis, W. Benjamin Herrington, Steven C Williamson, Kevin B Easterbrook, Joshua A Rosenthol, David M Rudnick
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Publication number: 20080209465Abstract: Systems and methods for providing supplemental content with on-demand media in an interactive television application are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2008Publication date: August 28, 2008Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc.Inventors: William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, David M. Berezowski, Kevin B. Easterbrook, Joseph P. Baumgartner