Patents by Inventor Robert A. Knee
Robert A. Knee 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: 10419810Abstract: On-demand systems and methods are provided to manage locally-stored on-demand content. A user's equipment controls the deletion of and/or access to on-demand content from a local storage device based on constraining criteria that may include rental conditions, dynamic factors, and keys.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2015Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Robert A. Knee, Michael L. Craner
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Patent number: 10271088Abstract: An interactive television program guide with remote access is provided. The interactive television program guide is implemented on interactive television program guide equipment. A remote program guide access device is connected to the interactive television program guide equipment by a remote access link to provide a user with remote access to program guide functions. An interactive television program guide system based on multiple user television equipment devices in a single household is provided. The system provides a user with an opportunity to adjust program guide settings with a given one of the interactive television program guides. Program guide setting include features related to setting program reminders, profiles, program recording features, messaging features, favorites features, parental control features, program guide set up features (e.g., audio and video and language settings), etc.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2015Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, William L. Thomas, Joel G. Hassell, Thomas R. Lemmons, David M. Berezowski, Robert A. Knee, Robert H. McCoy
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Patent number: 10225307Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and software are described for providing content to a device comprising streaming content and sending content in a non-streaming manner (e.g., by downloading a file containing the content). In some aspects, switching between streaming and downloading may be performed in a dynamic manner during presentation of the content, and may be seamless to the user's viewing experience.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Bruce Bradley, Robert Knee
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Patent number: 10205995Abstract: A program guide system is provided that supports a program guide application and multiple non-guide applications. The program guide system has a program guide application interface that allows the non-guide applications to use both device resources and program guide resources. The application interface maintains a list of registered applications and directs control requests from various applications to the current primary application. The application interface also has a user interface input director that directs keystrokes and other user input commands to the appropriate application. If a keystroke for the program guide application is detected while a non-guide application is running, the program guide application is invoked.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Robert A. Knee
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Publication number: 20180332353Abstract: A list of video-on demand (VOD) programs based on viewer selections is provided. VOD programs may be marked with a mark indicating the level of viewer interest. In one embodiment, a list of VOD programs may be displayed that includes or excludes programs having a particular mark, or sorts programs based on the marks. In another embodiment, a list of VOD programs may be displayed based on availability times. In yet another embodiment, after a viewer has played back a VOD program a list of related VOD programs may be automatically displayed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Robert A. Knee
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Patent number: 10063909Abstract: An interactive television program guide is provided in which advertisements may be displayed on program guide screens. Banner advertisements may be displayed above and below program listings. Panel advertisements may be provided adjacent to program listings. The advertisements may contain video. The advertisements may be used to promote television programs and conventional goods and services. When a user selects an advertisement, the program guide provides the user with an opportunity to order products or services, request information, set reminders for upcoming programs, view program descriptions, record programs, or take other such actions. Embedded advertisements may be provided within the program listings region and may be automatically displayed immediately adjacent to related program listings.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2015Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Edward B. Knudson, Joel G. Hassell, Connie T. Marshall, Thomas R. Lemmons, Steven J. Reynolds, Robert A. Knee, Kenneth F. Carpenter, Jr., William L. Thomas, W. Benjamin Herrington, Steven C. Williamson, Michael D. Ellis, Donald W. Allison
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Patent number: 10057653Abstract: A program guide system in which an interactive television program guide is implemented at least partially on user television equipment receives program listings data and real-time data such as sports scores, news data, etc. The real-time data may be stored in a database maintained by the program guide, so that the program guide may access the stored real-time data at a later time. Updated program listings information may be provided to the program guide as part of the data stream in which the real-time data is provided. Unique keys may be generated for the program listings data and real-time data associated with each live event. The keys may be compared at the program guide to determine which program listings correspond to which items of real-time data. Different types of real-time data may be assigned different expiration times. When data has expired it may be removed from the database.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2016Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Edward B. Knudson, David M. Rudnick, Michael D. Ellis, Daniel C. Hagenbuch, Joel G. Hassell, Robert A. Knee, Steven J. Reynolds
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Publication number: 20180227533Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically generating a playlist of series assets and systems and methods for grouping assets of a playlist in clusters are provided. In one embodiment, series assets may automatically be included into a playlist for that series. In another embodiment, an interactive media guidance application may group assets in clusters based on one or more user selected parameters or may group assets in cluster based on automatically determined parameters. In yet another embodiment, the interactive media guidance application may group assets in clusters and display at least one identifier in connection with each cluster to indicate a basis for forming the cluster. The identifier may be a key word or catch phrase that succinctly identifies a trait or characteristic of assets in a particular cluster associated with the identifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2018Publication date: August 9, 2018Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Jon P. Radloff, Robert A. Knee, Michael L. Craner, Joshua Berry
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Publication number: 20180160163Abstract: 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 27, 2017Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, Kevin B. Easterbrook, M. Scott Reichardt, Robert A. Knee
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Patent number: 9973817Abstract: A list of video-on-demand (VOD) programs based on viewer selections is provided. VOD programs may be marked with a mark indicating the level of viewer interest. In one embodiment, a list of VOD programs may be displayed that includes or excludes programs having a particular mark, or sorts programs based on the marks. In another embodiment, a list of VOD programs may be displayed based on availability times. In yet another embodiment, after a viewer has played back a VOD program, a list of related VOD programs may be automatically displayed.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Robert A. Knee
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Patent number: 9967509Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically generating a playlist of series assets and systems and methods for grouping assets of a playlist in clusters are provided. In one embodiment, series assets may automatically be included into a playlist for that series. In another embodiment, an interactive media guidance application may group assets in clusters based on one or more user selected parameters or may group assets in cluster based on automatically determined parameters. In yet another embodiment, the interactive media guidance application may group assets in clusters and display at least one identifier in connection with each cluster to indicate a basis for forming the cluster. The identifier may be a key word or catch phrase that succinctly identifies a trait or characteristic of assets in a particular cluster associated with the identifier.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2011Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Jon P. Radloff, Robert A. Knee, Michael L. Craner, Joshua Berry
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Publication number: 20170331871Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and software are described for providing content to a device comprising streaming content and sending content in a non-streaming manner (e.g., by downloading a file containing the content). In some aspects, switching between streaming and downloading may be performed in a dynamic manner during presentation of the content, and may be seamless to the user's viewing experience.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2016Publication date: November 16, 2017Inventors: Bruce Bradley, Robert Knee
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Patent number: 9807443Abstract: 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 31, 2016Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, Kevin B. Easterbrook, M. Scott Reichardt, Robert A. Knee
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Publication number: 20170127143Abstract: A program guide system in which an interactive television program guide is implemented at least partially on user television equipment receives program listings data and real-time data such as sports scores, news data, etc. The real-time data may be stored in a database maintained by the program guide, so that the program guide may access the stored real-time data at a later time. Updated program listings information may be provided to the program guide as part of the data stream in which the real-time data is provided. Unique keys may be generated for the program listings data and real-time data associated with each live event. The keys may be compared at the program guide to determine which program listings correspond to which items of real-time data. Different types of real-time data may be assigned different expiration times. When data has expired it may be removed from the database.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2016Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: Edward B. Knudson, David M. Rudnick, Michael D. Ellis, Daniel C. Hagenbuch, Joel G. Hassell, Robert A. Knee, Steven J. Reynolds
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Patent number: 9635406Abstract: An interactive television program guide system for determining user input values for demographic categories is provided. The system includes user television equipment having a receiver for receiving program guide information for the interactive television program guide, a user input receiver for receiving user input from user interface, such as a remote control, a microprocessor which utilizes the user input received to determine user values for demographic categories, and memory for storing the user values determined. In one illustrative use of the system for targeting advertisements to a user of the interactive television program guide, the receiver also receives advertisements, where the advertisements have preselected values for specified demographic categories.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Knee, Steven J. Reynolds, Michael D. Ellis, Joel G. Hassell
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Publication number: 20170055016Abstract: 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 31, 2016Publication date: February 23, 2017Inventors: William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, Kevin B. Easterbrook, M. Scott Reichardt, Robert A. Knee
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Patent number: 9565228Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and software are described for providing content to a device comprising streaming content and sending content in a non-streaming manner (e.g., by downloading a file containing the content). In some aspects, switching between streaming and downloading may be performed in a dynamic manner during presentation of the content, and may be seamless to the user's viewing experience.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2013Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLCInventors: Bruce Bradley, Robert Knee
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Patent number: 9525919Abstract: A program guide system in which an interactive television program guide is implemented at least partially on user television equipment receives program listings data and real-time data such as sports scores, news data, etc. The real-time data may be stored in a database maintained by the program guide, so that the program guide may access the stored real-time data at a later time. Updated program listings information may be provided to the program guide as part of the data stream in which the real-time data is provided. Unique keys may be generated for the program listings data and real-time data associated with each live event. The keys may be compared at the program guide to determine which program listings correspond to which items of real-time data. Different types of real-time data may be assigned different expiration times. When data has expired it may be removed from the database.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2015Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: ROVI GUIDES, INC.Inventors: Edward B. Knudson, David M. Rudnick, Michael D. Ellis, Daniel C. Hagenbuch, Joel G. Hassell, Robert A. Knee, Steven J. Reynolds
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Patent number: 9462317Abstract: 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: December 3, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis, Kevin B. Easterbrook, M. Scott Reichardt, Robert A. Knee
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Patent number: 9438953Abstract: A program guide system is provided that supports a program guide application and multiple non-guide applications. The program guide system has a program guide application interface that allows the non-guide applications to use both device resources and program guide resources. The application interface maintains a list of registered applications and directs control requests from various applications to the current primary application. The application interface also has a user interface input director that directs keystrokes and other user input commands to the appropriate application. If a keystroke for the program guide application is detected while a non-guide application is running, the program guide application is invoked.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2010Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Robert A. Knee