Patents by Inventor Peter J. Potrebic
Peter J. Potrebic 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: 11412288Abstract: A system or method selects among multiple tuners to tune a particular channel. A request is received to tune a first channel. In response to this request, a first tuner is assigned to tune the first channel. A request is received to tune a second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is not being recorded, the first tuner is assigned to tune the second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is being recorded, the second tuner is assigned to tune the second channel.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2020Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Peter J. Potrebic, Geoffrey R. Smith
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Publication number: 20200344513Abstract: A system or method selects among multiple tuners to tune a particular channel. A request is received to tune a first channel. In response to this request, a first tuner is assigned to tune the first channel. A request is received to tune a second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is not being recorded, the first tuner is assigned to tune the second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is being recorded, the second tuner is assigned to tune the second channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2020Publication date: October 29, 2020Inventors: Peter J. Potrebic, Geoffrey R. Smith
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Patent number: 10757465Abstract: A system or method selects among multiple tuners to tune a particular channel. A request is received to tune a first channel. In response to this request, a first tuner is assigned to tune the first channel. A request is received to tune a second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is not being recorded, the first tuner is assigned to tune the second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is being recorded, the second tuner is assigned to tune the second channel.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2017Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Rovi Technologies CorporationInventors: Peter J. Potrebic, Geoffrey R. Smith
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Publication number: 20180176626Abstract: A system or method selects among multiple tuners to tune a particular channel. A request is received to tune a first channel. In response to this request, a first tuner is assigned to tune the first channel. A request is received to tune a second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is not being recorded, the first tuner is assigned to tune the second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is being recorded, the second tuner is assigned to tune the second channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2017Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: Peter J. Potrebic, Geoffrey R. Smith
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Patent number: 9854293Abstract: A system or method selects among multiple tuners to tune a particular channel. A request is received to tune a first channel. In response to this request, a first tuner is assigned to tune the first channel. A request is received to tune a second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is not being recorded, the first tuner is assigned to tune the second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is being recorded, the second tuner is assigned to tune the second channel.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2015Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Rovi Technologies CorporationInventors: Peter J. Potrebic, Geoffrey R. Smith
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Patent number: 9578363Abstract: Techniques are described to provide content access. In an implementation, a determination is made at a client that a high-definition channel has content that matches content provided by a standard-definition channel. Access is provided to the content via the high-definition channel and access is restricted to the content via the standard-definition channel up the client is capable of outputting the content and high definition.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Rovi Technologies CorporationInventors: Peter J. Potrebic, Prashant K. Jha, Mark B. Tozer
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Publication number: 20160073145Abstract: Techniques are described to provide content access. In an implementation, a determination is made at a client that a high-definition channel has content that matches content provided by a standard-definition channel. Access is provided to the content via the high-definition channel and access is restricted to the content via the standard-definition channel up the client is capable of outputting the content and high definition.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2015Publication date: March 10, 2016Inventors: Peter J. Potrebic, Prashant K. Jha, Mark B. Tozer
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Patent number: 9241125Abstract: A unified recording format allows both recorded programs and paused buffered broadcasts to be stored in memory as a common virtual stream. As content is received on a channel, it is placed into the virtual stream with newer content at the start of the stream and progressively aging content migrating farther downstream. A front section of the stream effectively operates as a pause buffer, as the currently tuned broadcast program is recorded in this section and is responsive to pause/resume commands. Recorded programs are also stored as part of the same virtual stream. Pointers are used to identify the boundaries of the pause buffer, as well as the beginning and end of each recorded program in the virtual stream.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2010Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Peter J. Potrebic, Elizabeth Rose McEnroe, Peter T. Barrett
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Patent number: 9160971Abstract: Techniques are described to provide content access. In an implementation, a determination is made at a client that a high-definition channel has content that matches content provided by a standard-definition channel. Access is provided to the content via the high-definition channel and access is restricted to the content via the standard-definition channel up the client is capable of outputting the content and high definition.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2012Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: Rovi Technologies CorporationInventors: Peter J. Potrebic, Prashant K. Jha, Mark B. Tozer
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Publication number: 20150245089Abstract: A system or method selects among multiple tuners to tune a particular channel. A request is received to tune a first channel. In response to this request, a first tuner is assigned to tune the first channel. A request is received to tune a second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is not being recorded, the first tuner is assigned to tune the second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is being recorded, the second tuner is assigned to tune the second channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventors: Peter J. Potrebic, Geoffrey R. Smith
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Patent number: 9084007Abstract: A system or method selects among multiple tuners to tune a particular channel. A request is received to tune a first channel. In response to this request, a first tuner is assigned to tune the first channel. A request is received to tune a second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is not being recorded, the first tuner is assigned to tune the second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is being recorded, the second tuner is assigned to tune the second channel.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2010Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Peter J. Potrebic, Geoffrey R. Smith
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Patent number: 8928819Abstract: A system or method selects among multiple tuners to tune a particular channel. A request is received to tune a first channel. In response to this request, a first tuner is assigned to tune the first channel. A request is received to tune a second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is not being recorded, the first tuner is assigned to tune the second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is being recorded, the second tuner is assigned to tune the second channel.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Rovi Technologies CorporationInventors: Peter J. Potrebic, Geoffrey Smith
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Patent number: 8768146Abstract: Functionality is described for controlling the playback of a recorded media program. The functionality formulates initial playback decisions that govern the playback of the program based on a set of initial assumptions. The functionality then formulates modified playback decisions that define the manner in which the program should actually be played back. The modified playback decisions can be formed based on the playback-related behavior of a population of users who have previously consumed the same program. The functionality makes modifications which affect the playback of the recorded program based on the modified playback decisions, such as by bookmarking or truncating the recorded program.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2005Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Mark Wagner, Thomas H. Taylor, Peter J. Potrebic, Landon M. Dyer
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Patent number: 8739230Abstract: Embodiments of a manager/remote content architecture are described herein. The architecture, for instance, may provide management of content received from a content provider, such as to determine which client devices are authorized to output the content. Techniques are also described which allow one of the remote client devices to act as a “limited manager” to allocate content usage by the architecture when the manager client device is not available.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2006Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Elizabeth Rose McEnroe, Thomas H. Taylor, Mark Wagner, Peter J. Potrebic
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Patent number: 8699861Abstract: A recorded content management system determines when recorded content maintained in a television-based entertainment and information system has been watched by a viewer. When a segment or percentage of the recorded content for a particular program is displayed for viewing, it is determined whether the program has been watched so that the recorded content, or a portion of the recorded content, can be queued for deletion, or maintained for additional viewing.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2008Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Peter J. Potrebic, Bruce A. Leak, David J. Cheng, Shannon B. Vosseller, Marcus Tai-Tong Aiu
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Patent number: 8396924Abstract: Content management using a website is described. In an implementation, one or more computer readable media include instructions that are executable to provide an option, via a website, that is selectable by a first user though interaction with a website to specify that a second user is permitted, through interaction with the website, to cause content to be recorded locally at a client of the first user.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2008Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: James A. Baldwin, Peter J. Potrebic
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Publication number: 20130014201Abstract: A system or method selects among multiple tuners to tune a particular channel. A request is received to tune a first channel. In response to this request, a first tuner is assigned to tune the first channel. A request is received to tune a second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is not being recorded, the first tuner is assigned to tune the second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is being recorded, the second tuner is assigned to tune the second channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Peter J. Potrebic, Geoffrey Smith
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Publication number: 20120288260Abstract: Before a programming guide is created, a unique code is assigned to each TV program that can be identified in the programming guide. Prior to the creation of the programming guide, a viewer selects the unique code corresponding to the TV show that the viewer would like to record whenever that TV show is broadcast. When the programming guide is created, the corresponding unique codes are associated with each TV program in the programming guide. The TV program corresponding to the viewer-selected unique code is then scheduled to be recorded in accordance with the announced broadcast schedule in the programming guide. A recording is made of the TV program corresponding to the viewer-selected unique code as the TV program is broadcast in accordance with the announced broadcast schedule in the programming guide.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Peter J. Potrebic, Thomas H. Taylor
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Publication number: 20120230655Abstract: Techniques are described to provide content access. In an implementation, a determination is made at a client that a high-definition channel has content that matches content provided by a standard-definition channel. Access is provided to the content via the high-definition channel and access is restricted to the content via the standard-definition channel up the client is capable of outputting the content and high definition.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Peter J. Potrebic, Prashant K. Jha, Mark B. Tozer
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Patent number: RE48384Abstract: Techniques are described to provide content access. In an implementation, a determination is made at a client that a high-definition channel has content that matches content provided by a standard-definition channel. Access is provided to the content via the high-definition channel and access is restricted to the content via the standard-definition channel up the client is capable of outputting the content and high definition.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2019Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Rovi Technologies CorporationInventors: Peter J. Potrebic, Prashant K. Jha, Mark B. Tozer