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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Publication number: 20080152300Abstract: Systems and methods for skipping advertisements while playing back a video that includes at least one advertisement are provided. When a user reaches the advertisement, the user may select to skip the advertisement. In response to the skip instruction, the interactive media guidance application may identify and display substitute media instead of the advertisement. The substitute media may be an image, a video frame, a video clip, a graphic, or any other suitable media. The interactive media guidance application may identify the substitute media to display from advertisement data associated with the skipped advertisement. The substitute media may be displayed for a designated length of time (e.g., less than the time it would take to fast forward past the advertisement). Once the time for displaying the substitute media has lapsed, the interactive media guidance application may resume playback of the video following the end of the advertisement.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2006Publication date: June 26, 2008Applicant: Guideworks, LLCInventors: Robert A. Knee, Michael L. Craner
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Publication number: 20080155585Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying substitute media while fast forwarding past advertisements are provided. When a user reaches the advertisement, the interactive media guidance application may receive an instruction to fast forward the advertisement. In response to the fast forward instruction, the interactive media guidance application may identify and display substitute media instead of the advertisement. The substitute media may be an image, a video frame/clip, a graphic, an animated graphic, or any other suitable media. The substitute media may be distributed in the advertisement using any suitable method. For example, the substitute media may be incorporated in the video frames of the advertisement (e.g., overlaid in the video frames of the advertisement), added as hidden video frames distributed in the advertisement, or any other suitable approach.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2006Publication date: June 26, 2008Applicant: Guideworks, LLCInventors: Michael L. Craner, Robert A. Knee, Michael D. Ellis
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Publication number: 20080141303Abstract: When selecting a television program for recording, a user may configure the delivery of the selected television program and associated data and interactive applications to different user equipment devices in a home network, which may have different capabilities. Because the user equipment devices in the home network may have different capabilities, the user may wish to deliver different types and amount of content, different amounts of data, and different versions of interactive applications to the user equipment devices in the home network.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2005Publication date: June 12, 2008Inventors: Todd A. Walker, Samir B. Armaly, Robert A. Knee
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Patent number: 7386871Abstract: A program guide system is provided in which an interactive television program guide that is implemented at least partially on user television equipment receives program listings data and real-time data such as sports scores, news data, and the like. 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. A controllable ticker may be displayed on top of a television program on the user television equipment. The controllable ticker may be sponsored. Different types of real-time data may be assigned different expiration times.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: United Video Properties, 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: 20080115173Abstract: 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: November 10, 2006Publication date: May 15, 2008Applicant: GUIDEWORKS LLCInventors: Michael D. Ellis, Jon P. Radloff, Robert Knee, Michael Craner, Joshua Berry
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Publication number: 20080086745Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2007Publication date: April 10, 2008Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc.Inventors: Edward Knudson, Joel Hassell, Connie Marshall, Thomas Lemmons, Steven Reynolds, Robert Knee, Kenneth Carpenter, William Thomas, W. Herrington, Steven Williamson, Michael Ellis, Donald Allison
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Publication number: 20080010655Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2007Publication date: January 10, 2008Inventors: Michael Ellis, William Thomas, Joel Hassell, Thomas Lemmons, David Berezowski, Robert Knee, Robert McCoy
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Publication number: 20070271582Abstract: 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: February 9, 2007Publication date: November 22, 2007Applicant: TV Guide Networks, Inc.Inventors: Michael Ellis, Edward Knudson, Thomas Lemmons, Joel Hassell, Robert Knee, Kevin Easterbrook
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Patent number: 7287267Abstract: 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: September 20, 2004Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: United Video Properties, 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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Publication number: 20070157281Abstract: An interactive media guidance application implemented on a user equipment device may allow a user to create a group of user equipment devices that may be located in different homes or home networks. The interactive media guidance application may allow the user to add user equipment devices located in the user's home. The interactive media guidance application may also allow the user to invite user equipment devices located in other homes or home networks to join the group or accept requests from user equipment devices located in other homes or home networks to join the group. The interactive media guidance applications implemented on the user equipment devices in the group may allow users to select content to be stored. The content may be shared with the user equipment devices in the group.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2005Publication date: July 5, 2007Inventors: Michael Ellis, Robert Knee, Robert Mechler
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Publication number: 20070157266Abstract: An interactive media guidance application implemented on a user equipment device may allow a user to create a group of user equipment devices that may be located in different homes or home networks. The interactive media guidance application may allow the user to add user equipment devices located in the user's home. The interactive media guidance application may also allow the user to invite user equipment devices located in other homes or home networks to join the group or accept requests from user equipment devices located in other homes or home networks to join the group. The interactive media guidance applications implemented on the user equipment devices in the group may allow users to select content to be stored. The content may be shared with the user equipment devices in the group.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2005Publication date: July 5, 2007Inventors: Michael Ellis, Robert Knee, Robert Mechler
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Publication number: 20070079342Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2005Publication date: April 5, 2007Inventors: Michael Ellis, Robert Knee, Michael Craner
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Patent number: 7185355Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 4, 1998Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: 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: 20060242665Abstract: A system is provided based on user equipment such as a set-top box or computer with which an interactive television program guide is implemented. The system may gather information on the television viewing and music listening habits of a user and the user's interactions with the program guide. The user may adjust settings in the interactive television program guide. When the user equipment is turned on, the interactive television program guide may automatically tune the user equipment to an appropriate digital music channel or television channel. This channel may be selected based on the user's television viewing habits, music listening habits, the user's interactions with the program guide, or the settings selected by the user. Information on the user's interests may be stored in a history database. The information in the history database may be used to generate television program reminders for the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2006Publication date: October 26, 2006Inventors: Robert Knee, Todd Walker, William Thomas, Charles Ammann
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Publication number: 20060236342Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that provide a user with efficient video-rich navigation (VRN) of media assets in an interactive media guidance application, such as an interactive program guide. A user can select a displayed video asset and perform an action on the selectable video asset, for example, using a remote control. The manner in which the video assets are displayed and the actions enabled for the particular video assets are defined by screen data transmitted to the user equipment in a VRN data feed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2006Publication date: October 19, 2006Inventors: Gerard Kunkel, Michael Ellis, Robert Knee, Jon Radloff
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Publication number: 20060156336Abstract: An interactive television program guide is provided in which advertisements may be displayed in program listings display Legions on program guide screens. The program listings display regions may be browse displays or flip displays. The program guide screens contain video for the current channel to which the user is tuned. The program listings display regions containing the advertisements may be overlaid on top of the current channel. Alternatively, the video for the current channel may be provided in a reduced-size video window. The advertisements may contain video. The advertisements may be used to promote television programs and conventional goods and services. Advertisements may be selectable. 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2006Publication date: July 13, 2006Inventors: Edward Knudson, Joel Hassell, Connie Marshall, Thomas Lemmons, Steven Reynolds, Robert Knee, Kenneth Carpenter, William Thomas, W. Herrington, Steven Williamson, Michael Ellis, Donald Allison
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Patent number: 7039935Abstract: An interactive television program guide is provided in which advertisements may be displayed in program listings display regions on program guide screens. The program listings display regions may be browse displays or flip displays. The program guide screens contain video for the current channel to which the user is tuned. The program listings display regions containing the advertisements may be overlaid on top of the current channel. Alternatively, the video for the current channel may be provided in a reduced-size video window. The advertisements may contain video. The advertisements may be used to promote television programs and conventional goods and services. Advertisements may be selectable. 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2002Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: United Video Properties, 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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Publication number: 20060031883Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2005Publication date: February 9, 2006Inventors: Michael Ellis, William Thomas, Joel Hassell, Thomas Lemmons, David Berezowski, Robert Knee, Robert McCoy
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Publication number: 20060010469Abstract: A hybrid passive-interactive program guide is generated by combining the features of an interactive program guide with the passive video portion of a passive program guide. The interactive guide may replace passive listings with interactive listings, replace passive features with interactive features, provide supplemental advertisements, or replace passive tagging information with interactive tagging information. Users may be provided with an opportunity to purchase a program or product being advertised, to view listings for segments aired in the video portion of the passive guide, to schedule reminders for listings or video segments that are displayed by the passive guide, or to schedule video segments and related information for recording.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2005Publication date: January 12, 2006Inventors: Steven Reynolds, David Berezowski, Robert Knee, Michael Ellis, Joshua Rosenthol, William Hein
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Publication number: 20050235319Abstract: Advanced features for interactive television applications are described, including a back feature, a forward feature, a history feature, a go to feature, an extras feature, a reminder feature, a favorites feature, a parental control feature, and a search feature. Features may be inter-resource. Support for multiple data paths, Internet access, interactive services, and user profiles are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2000Publication date: October 20, 2005Inventors: Kenneth Carpenter, Robert Knee, W. Herrington, Michael Ellis