Patents by Inventor Robert F. Poniatowski
Robert F. Poniatowski 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: 20160198231Abstract: Techniques described herein enable a service to receive search requests from client systems and perform an integrated search across databases containing informational data for broadcast content and broadband content. The service receives the search request from the client device and formulates a query for at least one broadband database and at least one partner broadcast database. The service queries each broadband database with a compatible query that the service creates using information regarding the type of database queries each partner's database requires. Partners pay the service provider a fee for placing data in the database or for having their database searched by the service. The service formats the data received from the searches of the databases into a user interface screen that is presentable by the client device. The screen information instructs the client device on how it should respond to any key presses by the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2016Publication date: July 7, 2016Inventors: Marcel Dubois, Vin Chawla, Brian Beach, Glen Sanford, Robert F. Poniatowski, Shelly Glennon
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Patent number: 9288548Abstract: Techniques described herein enable a service to receive search requests from client systems and perform an integrated search across databases containing informational data for broadcast content and broadband content. The service receives the search request from the client device and formulates a query for at least one broadband database and at least one partner broadcast database. The service queries each broadband database with a compatible query that the service creates using information regarding the type of database queries each partner's database requires. Partners pay the service provider a fee for placing data in the database or for having their database searched by the service. The service formats the data received from the searches of the databases into a user interface screen that is presentable by the client device. The screen information instructs the client device on how it should respond to any key presses by the user.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2008Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: TiVo Inc.Inventors: Marcel Dubois, Vin Chawla, Brian Beach, Glen Sanford, Robert F. Poniatowski, Shelly Glennon
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Publication number: 20160034444Abstract: A client device, such as a digital video recorder, provides a phrase-based communication system in which users are presented with a dynamic messaging interface of selectable phrases and other elements. At least some of the phrases may be selected using algorithms that identify phrases that are likely to be useful to the particular user and/or the context in which the user is creating a message. In this manner, a user is able to generate useful messages quickly, without being limited to stale and fixed canned messages. Popular phrases may be identified by, for example, a server that relays based on messages exchanged between users. These popular phrases may then be harvested for use in the dynamic messaging interface. Moreover, context-sensitive metadata elements may be added to the dynamic messaging interface based on, for example, content that the user is currently viewing or about which the user is currently accessing information.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventor: Robert F. PONIATOWSKI
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Publication number: 20160029095Abstract: A user may establish a reservation for content that is not currently available to the user via a group of sources, including broadcast, streaming, and/or download sources. For example the a user may establish a reservation to record a broadcast of specific content that is currently not scheduled for broadcast. As another example, the user may establish a reservation for the purpose of alerting the user once a new movie becomes available through a subscription streaming service. Based on a reservation, the service provider and/or the user's media playback device may monitor content availability data for one or more sources. When the content is indicated as available, the user may be so informed. The content may then be streamed or downloaded, or a recording of the content may be scheduled. Additionally, or alternatively, the content may be automatically scheduled for recording or download.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2015Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventor: Robert F. PONIATOWSKI
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Patent number: 9215506Abstract: A client device, such as a digital video recorder, provides a phrase-based communication system in which users are presented with a dynamic messaging interface of selectable phrases and other elements. At least some of the phrases may be selected using algorithms that identify phrases that are likely to be useful to the particular user and/or the context in which the user is creating a message. In this manner, a user is able to generate useful messages quickly, without being limited to stale and fixed canned messages. Popular phrases may be identified by, for example, a server that relays based on messages exchanged between users. These popular phrases may then be harvested for use in the dynamic messaging interface. Moreover, context-sensitive metadata elements may be added to the dynamic messaging interface based on, for example, content that the user is currently viewing or about which the user is currently accessing information.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2011Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: TiVo Inc.Inventor: Robert F. Poniatowski
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Publication number: 20150302891Abstract: Techniques described herein automatically identify, in a multimedia content, an advertiser from which an advertisement in the multimedia content originates and/or a brand to which the advertisement pertains. The system determines whether the identified advertiser and/or identified brand is specified in a not to be displayed list and if so, performs at least one of: presents alternative content during the time interval that the advertisement occupies in the multimedia content or skips over the advertisement in the multimedia content.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2015Publication date: October 22, 2015Inventors: James Barton, Brian Beach, Margret Schmidt, Robert F. Poniatowski, Shelly Glennon
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Patent number: 9152300Abstract: A user may establish a reservation for content that is not currently available to the user via a group of sources, including broadcast, streaming, and/or download sources. For example the a user may establish a reservation to record a broadcast of specific content that is currently not scheduled for broadcast. As another example, the user may establish a reservation for the purpose of alerting the user once a new movie becomes available through a subscription streaming service. Based on a reservation, the service provider and/or the user's media playback device may monitor content availability data for one or more sources. When the content is indicated as available, the user may be so informed. The content may then be streamed or downloaded, or a recording of the content may be scheduled. Additionally, or alternatively, the content may be automatically scheduled for recording or download.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2011Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: TiVo Inc.Inventor: Robert F. Poniatowski
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Patent number: 9094718Abstract: Techniques described herein automatically identifies, in a multimedia content, an advertiser from which an advertisement in the multimedia content originates and/or a brand to which the advertisement pertains. The system determines whether the identified advertiser and/or identified brand is specified in a not to be displayed list and if so, performs at least one of: presents alternative content during the time interval that the advertisement occupies in the multimedia content or skips over the advertisement in the multimedia content.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2013Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: TiVo Inc.Inventors: James M. Barton, Brian Beach, Margret Schmidt, Robert F. Poniatowski, Shelly Glennon
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Publication number: 20150131974Abstract: Techniques described herein enable searching for multimedia content and for downloading or scheduling the recording of the multimedia content. The multimedia content may have been previously stored on one or more databases. The client device may download or schedule the recording of multimedia content in one step, for example, in one touch. When desired multimedia content is not available, the multimedia content is added to the client device's wish list. When the client device's does not have a wish list, the client device's wish list may be created on the spot. During the scheduling of the recording, a tag associated with the multimedia content is checked to determine whether the multimedia content is live or delayed. When the tag indicates the multimedia content is live or delayed, the client device prompts with a suggestion to add extra time to the end of the recording of the multimedia content.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2015Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: Robert F. Poniatowski, Shelly Glennon, Brian Beach, Marcel Dubois
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Patent number: 8959099Abstract: Techniques described herein enable searching for multimedia content and for downloading or scheduling the recording of the multimedia content. The multimedia content may have been previously stored on one or more databases. The client device may download or schedule the recording of multimedia content in one step, for example, in one touch. When desired multimedia content is not available, the multimedia content is added to the client device's wish list. When the client device's does not have a wish list, the client device's wish list may be created on the spot. During the scheduling of the recording, a tag associated with the multimedia content is checked to determine whether the multimedia content is live or delayed. When the tag indicates the multimedia content is live or delayed, the client device prompts with a suggestion to add extra time to the end of the recording of the multimedia content.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: TiVo Inc.Inventors: Robert F. Poniatowski, Shelly Glennon, Brian Beach, Marcel Dubois
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Patent number: 8914394Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an integrated search is provided. An interface is provided that allows users to search and select any data related to a searchable term. Searchable terms may comprise titles of content, actors, and tags. A client device formulates a search request from the user-selected search terms. A service receives the search request from the client device and formulates a query for at least one broadband database and at least one partner broadcast database. The service queries each broadband database with a compatible query that the service creates using information regarding the type of database queries each partner's database requires. The service formats the data received from the searches of the databases into a user interface screen that is presentable by the client device. The screen information instructs the client device on how it should respond to any key presses by the user.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2008Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: TiVo Inc.Inventors: Marcel Dubois, Vin Chawla, Brian Beach, Glen Sanford, Robert F. Poniatowski, Shelly Glennon
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Patent number: 8761585Abstract: Techniques described herein enable parents to establish a child-protective “kids zone” on a DVR. According to one technique, a DVR receives, from a parent, identities of DVD content items that the parent does not want children to view. The DVR maps the identities to a kids zone. During times that the DVR is set to operate in the kids zone operational mode, the DVR prevents itself from presenting any content from DVDs that are associated with the identities. At other times, during which the DVR is not set to operate in the kids zone operational mode, the DVR may allow itself to present DVD content that are associated with the identities.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2007Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: TiVo Inc.Inventors: James M. Barton, Brian Beach, Margret Schmidt, Robert F. Poniatowski, Shelly Glennon
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Publication number: 20140033245Abstract: Techniques described herein automatically identifies, in a multimedia content, an advertiser from which an advertisement in the multimedia content originates and/or a brand to which the advertisement pertains. The system determines whether the identified advertiser and/or identified brand is specified in a not to be displayed list and if so, performs at least one of: presents alternative content during the time interval that the advertisement occupies in the multimedia content or skips over the advertisement in the multimedia content.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: TiVo Inc.Inventors: James M. Barton, Brian Beach, Margret Schmidt, Robert F. Poniatowski, Shelly Glennon
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Patent number: 8549553Abstract: Techniques described herein enable parents to establish a child-protective “kids zone” on a DVR. According to one technique, a DVR receives, from a parent, identities of content items that the parent does not want children to view. The DVR maps the identities to a kids zone. During times that the DVR is set to operate in the kids zone operational mode, the DVR prevents itself from presenting any content items that are associated with the identities. However, during these times, the DVR still may obtain and store these content items. At other times, during which the DVR is not set to operate in the kids zone operational mode, the DVR may allow itself to present the content items that are associated with the identities, including content items that the DVR obtained and stored during times that the DVR was set to operate in the kids zone operational mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2010Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: TiVo Inc.Inventors: James M. Barton, Brian Beach, Margret Schmidt, Robert F. Poniatowski, Shelly Glennon
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Patent number: 8301648Abstract: Techniques described herein enable searching for multimedia content and for downloading or scheduling the recording of the multimedia content. The multimedia content may have been previously stored on one or more databases. The client device may download or schedule the recording of multimedia content in one step, for example, in one touch. When desired multimedia content is not available, the multimedia content is added to the client device's wish list. When the client device's does not have a wish list, the client device's wish list may be created on the spot. During the scheduling of the recording, a tag associated with the multimedia content is checked to determine whether the multimedia content is live or delayed. When the tag indicates the multimedia content is live or delayed, the client device prompts with a suggestion to add extra time to the end of the recording of the multimedia content.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2008Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: TiVo Inc.Inventors: Robert F. Poniatowski, Shelly Glennon, Brian Beach, Marcel Dubois
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Publication number: 20110179453Abstract: A user may establish a reservation for content that is not currently available to the user via a group of sources, including broadcast, streaming, and/or download sources. For example the a user may establish a reservation to record a broadcast of specific content that is currently not scheduled for broadcast. As another example, the user may establish a reservation for the purpose of alerting the user once a new movie becomes available through a subscription streaming service. Based on a reservation, the service provider and/or the user's media playback device may monitor content availability data for one or more sources. When the content is indicated as available, the user may be so informed. The content may then be streamed or downloaded, or a recording of the content may be scheduled. Additionally, or alternatively, the content may be automatically scheduled for recording or download.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2011Publication date: July 21, 2011Inventor: Robert F. Poniatowski
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Publication number: 20110067048Abstract: Techniques described herein enable parents to establish a child-protective “kids zone” on a DVR. According to one technique, a DVR receives, from a parent, identities of content items that the parent does not want children to view. The DVR maps the identities to a kids zone. During times that the DVR is set to operate in the kids zone operational mode, the DVR prevents itself from presenting any content items that are associated with the identities. However, during these times, the DVR still may obtain and store these content items. At other times, during which the DVR is not set to operate in the kids zone operational mode, the DVR may allow itself to present the content items that are associated with the identities, including content items that the DVR obtained and stored during times that the DVR was set to operate in the kids zone operational mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2010Publication date: March 17, 2011Inventors: James BARTON, Brian Beach, Margret Schmidt, Robert F. Poniatowski, Shelly Glennon
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Patent number: 7861258Abstract: Techniques described herein enable parents to establish a child-protective “kids zone” on a DVR. According to one technique, a DVR receives, from a parent, identities of content items that the parent does not want children to view. The DVR maps the identities to a kids zone. During times that the DVR is set to operate in the kids zone operational mode, the DVR prevents itself from presenting any content items that are associated with the identities. However, during these times, the DVR still may obtain and store these content items. At other times, during which the DVR is not set to operate in the kids zone operational mode, the DVR may allow itself to present the content items that are associated with the identities, including content items that the DVR obtained and stored during times that the DVR was set to operate in the kids zone operational mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2007Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Tivo Inc.Inventors: James M. Barton, Brian Beach, Margret Schmidt, Robert F. Poniatowski, Shelly Glennon
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Publication number: 20080288461Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an integrated search is provided. An interface is provided that allows users to search and select any data related to a searchable term. Searchable terms may comprise titles of content, actors, and tags. Upon receiving results from the initial search, the user progresses through the initial search by selecting a result from the initial search and conducting a further search of that selection. The search may progress through many layers of searching in order to find information useful to the user and the user may perform actions based upon results of the search. The search implements a display with two columns, the first column displaying selectable data, and the second column displaying results to the selected data. The search is further customizable based upon a privacy level selected by the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2008Publication date: November 20, 2008Inventors: Shelly GLENNON, Robert F. Poniatowski, Bryan James, Brian Beach
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Publication number: 20080288460Abstract: Techniques described herein enable searching for multimedia content and for downloading or scheduling the recording of the multimedia content. The multimedia content may have been previously stored on one or more databases. The client device may download or schedule the recording of multimedia content in one step, for example, in one touch. When desired multimedia content is not available, the multimedia content is added to the client device's wish list. When the client device's does not have a wish list, the client device's wish list may be created on the spot. During the scheduling of the recording, a tag associated with the multimedia content is checked to determine whether the multimedia content is live or delayed. When the tag indicates the multimedia content is live or delayed, the client device prompts with a suggestion to add extra time to the end of the recording of the multimedia content.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2008Publication date: November 20, 2008Inventors: Robert F. PONIATOWSKI, Shelly Glennon, Brian Beach, Marcel Dubois