Patents by Inventor Pamela L. McKissick
Pamela L. McKissick 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: 10015556Abstract: A television chat system is provided that allows television viewers to engage in real-time communications in chat groups with other television viewers while watching television. Users of the television chat system may engage in real-time communications with other users who are currently watching the same television program or channel. The system allows real-time communications in a chat group to be transmitted between users at user television equipment devices via a television distribution facility. The television chat system of the present invention permits users to join chat groups related to television programs, channels, or categories of programs that the user may be interested in. Real-time communications may be textual messages, audio communications, or video communications.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Toby DeWeese, Pamela L. McKissick, William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis
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Patent number: 9832531Abstract: A television message system is provided that allows users at user television devices that are connected to a television distribution facility to transmit messages to each other relating to a television program or other suitable subject. The television message system permits users to participate in evaluations, contests, promotions, and surveys related to a television program while watching that television program. The television message system also permits users to compose and send a message to a television program entity. Users can send massages through the television message system to users at personal computers who are connected to the user's television distribution facility through a communications network. The television message system also allows a user to purchase a gift related to television programming for a recipient. The gift may be an electronic gift certificate for pay-per-view programming.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Pamela L. McKissick, William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, Mark A. Regouby, Joel G. Hassell
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Publication number: 20170142489Abstract: A television chat system is provided that allows television viewers to engage in real-time communications in chat groups with other television viewers while watching television. Users of television chat system may engage in real-time communications with other users who are currently watching the same television program or channel. The system allows real-time communications in a chat group to be transmitted between users at user television equipment devices via a television distribution facility. The television chat system of the present invention permits users to join chat groups related to television programs, channels, or categories of programs that the user may be interested in. Real-time communications may be textual messages, audio communications, or video communications.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2016Publication date: May 18, 2017Inventors: Toby DeWeese, Pamela L. McKissick, William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis
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Patent number: 9521451Abstract: A television chat system is provided that allows television viewers to engage in real-time communications in chat groups with other television viewers while watching television. Users of the television chat system may engage in real-time communications with other users who are currently watching the same television program or channel. The system allows real-time communications in a chat group to be transmitted between users at user television equipment devices via a television distribution facility. The television chat system of the present invention permits users to join chat groups related to television programs, channels, or categories of programs that the user may be interested in. Real-time communications may be textual messages, audio communications, or video communications.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2013Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Toby DeWeese, Pamela L. McKissick, William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis
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Publication number: 20160345068Abstract: A television message system is provided that allows users at user television devices that are connected to a television distribution facility to transmit messages to each other relating to a television program or other suitable subject. The television message system permits users to participate in evaluations, contests, promotions, and surveys related to a television program while watching that television program. The television message system also permits users to compose and send a message to a television program entity. Users can send massages through the television message system to users at personal computers who are connected to the user's television distribution facility through a communications network. The television message system also allows a user to purchase a gift related to television programming for a recipient. The gift may be an electronic gift certificate for pay-per-view programming.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventors: Pamela L. McKissick, William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, Mark A. Regouby, Joel G. Hassell
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Publication number: 20160227287Abstract: A television message system is provided that allows users at user television equipment devices that are connected to a television distribution facility to transmit messages to each other relating to a television program or other suitable subject. The television message system permits users to participate in evaluations, contests, promotions, and surveys related to a television program while watching that television program. The television message system also permits users to compose and send a message to a television program entity. Users can send messages through the television message system to users at personal computers who are connected to the user's television distribution facility through a communications network. The television message system also allows a user to purchase a gift related to television programming for a recipient. The gift may be an electronic gift certificate for pay-per-view programming.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2015Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: Pamela L. McKissick, William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, Mark A. Regouby, Joel G. Hassell
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Patent number: 9226012Abstract: A television message system is provided that allows users at user television equipment devices that are connected to a television distribution facility to transmit messages to each other relating to a television program or other suitable subject. The television message system permits users to participate in evaluations, contests, promotions, and surveys related to a television program while watching that television program. The television message system also permits users to compose and send a message to a television program entity. Users can send messages through the television message system to users at personal computers who are connected to the user's television distribution facility through a communications network. The television message system also allows a user to purchase a gift related to television programming for a recipient. The gift may be an electronic gift certificate for pay-per-view programming.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2013Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Pamela L. McKissick, William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, Mark A. Regouby, Joel G. Hassell
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Patent number: 8918818Abstract: A television chat system that allows television viewers to engage in real-time communications in chat groups with other television viewers while watching television. Users of the television chat system may engage in real-time communications with other uses who are currently watching the same television program or channel. The system allows real-time communications in a chat group to be transmitted between users at user television equipment devices via a television distribution facility. The television chat system permits users to join chat groups related to television programs, channels, or categories of programs that the user may be interested in. Real-time communications may be textual messages, audio communications, or video communications. The television chat system may also allow users to send chat requests to ask other users to enter a chat group, and permits users to establish chat groups that television viewers are permitted to join.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2014Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.Inventors: Toby DeWeese, Pamela L. McKissick, William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis
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Publication number: 20140208367Abstract: A television chat system is provided that allows television viewers to engage in real-time communications in chat groups with other television viewers while watching television. Users of the television chat system may engage in real-time communications with other users who are currently watching the same television program or channel. The system allows real-time communications in a chat group to be transmitted between users at user television equipment devices via a television distribution facility. The television chat system of the present invention permits users to join chat groups related to television programs, channels, or categories of programs that the user may be interested in. Real-time communications may be textual messages, audio communications, or video communications.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc.Inventors: Toby DeWeese, Pamela L. McKissick, William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis
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Publication number: 20140082668Abstract: A television message system is provided that allows users at user television equipment devices that are connected to a television distribution facility to transmit messages to each other relating to a television program or other suitable subject. The television message system permits users to participate in evaluations, contests, promotions, and surveys related to a television program while watching that television program. The television message system also permits users to compose and send a message to a television program entity. The television message system also allows a user to purchase a gift related to television programming for a recipient. The gift may be an electronic gift certificate for pay-per-view programming. The television message system may be based on an interactive television program guide or a set-top box application implemented on a set-top box.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2008Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc.Inventors: Pamela L. McKissick, William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, Mark A. Regouby, Joel G. Hassell
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Publication number: 20140040955Abstract: A non-frame television program guide notification system is provided. The system allows a user at a system to order and receive notifications of non-frame television programs. The user can order notifications by selecting a program or supplying a program title directly. The user can specify when and how often the notifications will be generated and received. If desired, the user can view a list of all currently requested notifications. Entries can be added to the list or the user can cancel a previously ordered notification.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.Inventors: Pamela L. McKissick, Madeleine A. Forrer
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Publication number: 20130332957Abstract: A television chat system is provided that allows television viewers to engage in real-time communications in chat groups with other television viewers while watching television. Users of the television chat system may engage in real-time communications with other users who are currently watching the same television program or channel. The system allows real-time communications in a chat group to be transmitted between users at user television equipment devices via a television distribution facility. The television chat system of the present invention permits users to join chat groups related to television programs, channels, or categories of programs that the user may be interested in. Real-time communications may be textual messages, audio communications, or video communications. The television chat system may also allow users to send chat requests to ask other users to enter a chat group. The system also permits users to establish chat groups that television viewers are permitted to join.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc.Inventors: Toby DeWeese, Pamela L. McKissick, William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis
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Patent number: 8589975Abstract: A non-frame television program guide notification system is provided. The system allows a user at a system to order and receive notifications of non-frame television programs. The user can order notifications by selecting a program or supplying a program title directly. The user can specify when and how often the notifications will be generated and received. If desired, the user can view a list of all currently requested notifications. Entries can be added to the list or the user can cancel a previously ordered notification.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2009Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.Inventors: Pamela L. McKissick, Madeleine A. Forrer
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Publication number: 20130290992Abstract: A television message system is provided that allows users at user television equipment devices that are connected to a television distribution facility to transmit messages to each other relating to a television program or other suitable subject. The television message system permits users to participate in evaluations, contests, promotions, and surveys related to a television program while watching that television program. The television message system also permits users to compose and send a message to a television program entity. Users can send messages through the television message system to users at personal computers who are connected to the user's television distribution facility through a communications network. The television message system also allows a user to purchase a gift related to television programming for a recipient. The gift may be an electronic gift certificate for pay-per-view programming.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Inventors: Pamela L. McKissick, William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, Mark A. Regouby, Joel G. Hassell
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Publication number: 20110258661Abstract: An interactive television program guide system and method is provided. Time separators are displayed within lists of program listings to allow users to more easily view the program listings. On-screen arrows have their display characteristics changed according to user actions. Similar program listings are displayed only once when using search program listings. Users are provided with an opportunity to view channel information before setting channels as favorites. Information from local information services is provided in program guide display screens that are configurable by a main facility. Users are provided with an opportunity to centrally lock and unlock programs, and to bypass locks when desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2011Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: Rovi Technologies CorporationInventors: Edward B. Knudson, Michael D. Ellis, W. Benjamin Herrington, Steven C. Williamson, Pamela L. McKissick, William L. Thomas, David M. Berezowski, Kenneth F. Carpenter, JR., Jeffrey A. Ross, Daniel C. Hagenbuch, Steven J. Reynolds, David M. Rudnick
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Patent number: 8001563Abstract: An interactive television program guide system and method is provided. Time separators are displayed within lists of program listings to allow users to more easily view the program listings. On-screen arrows have their display characteristics changed according to user actions. Similar program listings are displayed only once when using search program listings. Users are provided with an opportunity to view channel information before setting channels as favorites. Information from local information services is provided in program guide display screens that are configurable by a main facility. Users are provided with an opportunity to centrally lock and unlock programs, and to bypass locks when desired.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2009Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.Inventors: Edward B. Knudson, Michael D. Ellis, W. Benjamin Herrington, Steven C. Williamson, Pamela L. McKissick, William L. Thomas, David M. Berezowski, Kenneth F. Carpenter, Jr., Jeffrey Ross, Daniel C. Hagenbuch, Steven J. Reynolds, David M. Rudnick
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Publication number: 20110179129Abstract: A television message system is provided that allows users at user television equipment devices that are connected to a television distribution facility to transmit messages to each other relating to a television program or other suitable subject. The television message system permits users to participate in evaluations, contests, promotions, and surveys related to a television program while watching that television program. The television message system also permits users to compose and send a message to a television program entity. The television message system also allows a user to purchase a gift related to television programming for a recipient. The gift may be an electronic gift certificate for pay-per-view programming. The television message system may be based on an interactive television program guide or a set-top box application implemented on a set-top box.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2011Publication date: July 21, 2011Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc.Inventors: Pamela L. McKissick, William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, Mark A. Regouby, Joel G. Hassell
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Publication number: 20110047487Abstract: A television chat system is provided that allows television viewers to engage in real-time communications in chat groups with other television viewers while watching television. Users of the television chat system may engage in real-time communications with other users who are currently watching the same television program or channel. The system allows real-time communications in a chat group to be transmitted between users at user television equipment devices via a television distribution facility. The television chat system of the present invention permits users to join chat groups related to television programs, channels, or categories of programs that the user may be interested in. Real-time communications may be textual messages, audio communications, or video communications. The television chat system may also allow users to send chat requests to ask other users to enter a chat group. The system also permits users to establish chat groups that television viewers are permitted to join.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2010Publication date: February 24, 2011Inventors: Toby DeWeese, Pamela L. McKissick, William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis
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Publication number: 20100205634Abstract: An interactive television program guide system and method is provided. Time separators are displayed within lists of program listings to allow users to more easily view the program listings. On-screen arrows have their display characteristics changed according to user actions. Similar program listings are displayed only once when using search program listings. Users are provided with an opportunity to view channel information before setting channels as favorites. Information from local information services is provided in program guide display screens that are configurable by a main facility. Users are provided with an opportunity to centrally lock and unlock programs, and to bypass locks when desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2009Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: Rovi Technologies CorporationInventors: Edward B. Knudson, Michael D. Ellis, W. Benjamin Herrington, Steven C. Williamson, Pamela L. McKissick, William L. Thomas, David M. Berezowski, Kenneth F. Carpenter, JR., Jeffrey Ross, Daniel C. Hagenbuch, Steven J. Reynolds, David M. Rudnick
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Publication number: 20100107194Abstract: A non-frame television program guide notification system is provided. The system allows a user at a system to order and receive notifications of non-frame television programs. The user can order notifications by selecting a program or supplying a program title directly. The user can specify when and how often the notifications will be generated and received. If desired, the user can view a list of all currently requested notifications. Entries can be added to the list or the user can cancel a previously ordered notification.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2009Publication date: April 29, 2010Inventors: Pamela L. McKissick, Madeleine A. Forrer