Patents by Inventor Theresa A. Alba

Theresa A. Alba 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).

  • Publication number: 20110167448
    Abstract: A television schedule system and method for displaying television schedule information on a television screen includes a program guide having a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day. An input device allows the viewer to browse through the schedule information area and/or obtain more information about programs of particular interest. In one aspect, the viewer may watch a program on the currently-tuned channel, while browsing through the other channels on a portion of the television screen. In another aspect, the viewer may watch programs currently being shown on the television, while he or she browses through the program guide. In yet another aspect, the system includes a database, a processor and associated software for automatically customizing the television schedule guide to an individual viewer or a group of viewers, e.g., a family, to facilitate use of the television schedule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, James J. Leftwich, David M. Folker, Keith Hunwick, Theresa Alba, Molly K. King
  • Publication number: 20110041150
    Abstract: A television schedule system and method for displaying television schedule information on a television screen includes a program guide having a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day. An input device allows the viewer to browse through the schedule information area and/or obtain more information about programs of particular interest. In one aspect, the viewer may watch a program on the currently-tuned channel, while browsing through the other channels on a portion of the television screen. In another aspect, the viewer may watch programs currently being shown on the television, while he or she browses through the program guide. In yet another aspect, the system includes a database, a processor and associated software for automatically customizing the television schedule guide to an individual viewer or a group of viewers, e.g., a family, to facilitate use of the television schedule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, James J. Leftwich, David M. Folker, Keith Hunwick, Theresa Alba, Molly K. King
  • Publication number: 20100186037
    Abstract: An on-screen menu method and system for controlling the functions of integrated electronic devices and a television schedule system and method for displaying television schedule information on a television screen includes a program guide having a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day and an interconnected series of menus to control the features of the integrated electronic devices. An input device allows the viewer to move a pointer over different interactive areas of the guide and the function performed when the area is activated is displayed in a contextual help window. Various control glyphs provide for recursive interaction with the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Starsight Telecast, Inc.
    Inventors: Theresa A. Alba, Marcia A. Casement, William De Stein, David Folker, Keith W. Hunwick, Kenneth D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7543320
    Abstract: An improved television guide system. According to one embodiment of the invention, television guide information is provided that includes multiple occurrences of a single show. The guide system of the present invention allows the user to identify a show and, thereafter, identify when the identified show will be played again. Accordingly, the user may more easily select shows for viewing or recordation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Starsight Telecast, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, David P. Warden, Molly K. King, Theresa A. Alba, Robert E. Russman
  • Publication number: 20080184295
    Abstract: An on-screen menu method and system for controlling the functions of integrated electronic devices and a television schedule system and method for displaying television schedule information on a television screen includes a program guide having a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day and an interconnected series of menus to control the features of the integrated electronic devices. An input device allows the viewer to move a pointer over different interactive areas of the guide and the function performed when the area is activated is displayed in a contextual help window. Various control glyphs provide for recursive interaction with the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Theresa A. Alba, Marcia A. Casement, William De Stein, David Folker, Keith W. Hunwick, Kenneth D. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20080184303
    Abstract: A television schedule system and method for displaying television schedule information on a television screen includes a program guide having a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day. An input device allows the viewer to browse through the schedule information area and/or obtain more information about programs of particular interest. In one aspect, the viewer may watch a program on the currently-tuned channel, while browsing through the other channels on a portion of the television screen. In another aspect, the viewer may watch programs currently being shown on the television, while he or she browses through the program guide. In yet another aspect, the system includes a database, a processor and associated software for automatically customizing the television schedule guide to an individual viewer or a group of viewers, e.g., a family, to facilitate use of the television schedule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, James J. Leftwich, David M. Folker, Keith Hunwick, Theresa Alba, Molly K. King
  • Publication number: 20080077957
    Abstract: An improved television guide system. According to one embodiment of the invention, television guide information is provided that includes multiple occurrences of a single show. The guide system of the present invention allows the user to identify a show and, thereafter, identify when the identified show will be played again. Accordingly, the user may more easily select shows for viewing or recordation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Starsight Telecast, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Schein, David Warden, Molly King, Theresa Alba, Robert Russman
  • Publication number: 20070094684
    Abstract: An improved television guide system. According to one embodiment of the invention, television guide information is provided that includes multiple occurrences of a single show. The guide system of the present invention allows the user to identify a show and, thereafter, identify when the identified show will be played again. Accordingly, the user may more easily select shows for viewing or recordation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Applicant: Starsight Telecast, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Schein, David Warden, Molly King, Theresa Alba, Robert Russman
  • Patent number: 7162729
    Abstract: An improved television guide system. According to one embodiment of the invention, television guide information is provided that includes multiple occurrences of a single show. The guide system of the present invention allows the user to identify a show and, thereafter, identify when the identified show will be played again. Accordingly, the user may more easily select shows for viewing or recordation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Starsight Telecast, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M Schein, David P Warden, Molly K King, Theresa A Alba, Robert E Russman
  • Publication number: 20060277574
    Abstract: A television schedule system and method for displaying television schedule information on a television screen includes a program guide having a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day. An input device allows the viewer to browse through the schedule information area and/or obtain more information about programs of particular interest. In one aspect, the viewer may watch a program on the currently-tuned channel, while browsing through the other channels on a portion of the television screen. In another aspect, the viewer may watch programs currently being shown on the television, while he or she browses through the program guide. In yet another aspect, the system includes a database, a processor and associated software for automatically customizing the television schedule guide to an individual viewer or a group of viewers, e.g., a family, to facilitate use of the television schedule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Inventors: Steven Schein, James Leftwich, David Folker, Keith Hunwick, Theresa Alba, Molly King
  • Publication number: 20060242666
    Abstract: An on-screen menu method and system for controlling the functions of integrated electronic devices and a television schedule system and method for displaying television schedule information on a television screen includes a program guide having a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day and an interconnected series of menus to control the features of the integrated electronic devices. An input device allows the viewer to move a pointer over different interactive areas of the guide and the function performed when the area is activated is displayed in a contextual help window. Various control glyphs provide for recursive interaction with the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Theresa Alba, Marcia Casement, William De Stein, David Folker, Keith Hunwick, Kenneth Johnson
  • Publication number: 20060168620
    Abstract: An improved television guide system. According to one embodiment of the invention, television guide information is provided that includes multiple occurrences of a single show. The guide system of the present invention allows the user to identify a show and, thereafter, identify when the identified show will be played again. Accordingly, the user may more easily select shows for viewing or recordation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Inventors: Steven Schein, David Warden, Molly King, Theresa Alba, Robert Russman
  • Patent number: 7062777
    Abstract: An on-screen menu method and system for controlling the functions of integrated electronic devices and a television schedule system and method for displaying television schedule information on a television screen includes a program guide having a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day and an interconnected series of menus to control the features of the integrated electronic devices. An input device allows the viewer to move a pointer over different interactive areas of the guide and the function performed when the area is activated is displayed in a contextual help window. Various control glyphs provide for recursive interaction with the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Starsight Telecast, Inc.
    Inventors: Theresa A. Alba, Marcia A. Casement, William De Stein, David Folker, Keith W. Hunwick, Kenneth D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7047549
    Abstract: An improved television guide system. According to one embodiment of the invention, television guide information is provided that includes multiple occurrences of a single show. The guide system of the present invention allows the user to identify a show and, thereafter, identify when the identified show will be played again. Accordingly, the user may more easily select shows for viewing or recordation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Starsight Telecast, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, David P. Warden, Molly K. King, Theresa A. Alba, Robert E. Russman
  • Publication number: 20040163104
    Abstract: An improved television guide system. According to one embodiment of the invention, television guide information is provided that includes multiple occurrences of a single show. The guide system of the present invention allows the user to identify a show and, thereafter, identify when the identified show will be played again. Accordingly, the user may more easily select shows for viewing or recordation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, David P. Warden, Molly K. King, Theresa A. Alba, Robert E. Russman
  • Patent number: 6701527
    Abstract: An improved television guide system. According to one embodiment of the invention, television guide information is provided that includes multiple occurrences of a single show. The guide system of the present invention allows the user to identify a show and, thereafter, identify when the identified show will be played again. Accordingly, the user may more easily select shows for viewing or recordation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: StarsightTelecast, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, David P. Warden, Molly K. King, Theresa A. Alba, Robert E. Russman
  • Publication number: 20030196201
    Abstract: A television schedule system and method for displaying television schedule information on a television screen includes a program guide having a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day. An input device allows the viewer to browse through the schedule information area and/or obtain more information about programs of particular interest. In one aspect, the viewer may watch a program on the currently-tuned channel, while browsing through the other channels on a portion of the television screen. In another aspect, the viewer may watch programs currently being shown on the television, while he or she browses through the program guide. In yet another aspect, the system includes a database, a processor and associated software for automatically customizing the television schedule guide to an individual viewer or a group of viewers, e.g., a family, to facilitate use of the television schedule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: Starsight Telecast, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, James J. Leftwich, David M. Folker, Keith Hunwick, Theresa Alba, Molly K. King
  • Publication number: 20030028878
    Abstract: An improved television guide system. According to one embodiment of the invention, television guide information is provided that includes multiple occurrences of a single show. The guide system of the present invention allows the user to identify a show and, thereafter, identify when the identified show will be played again. Accordingly, the user may more easily select shows for viewing or recordation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, David P. Warden, Molly K. King, Theresa A. Alba, Robert E. Russman
  • Publication number: 20020184627
    Abstract: An on-screen menu method and system for controlling the functions of integrated electronic devices and a television schedule system and method for displaying television schedule information on a television screen includes a program guide having a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day and an interconnected series of menus to control the features of the integrated electronic devices. An input device allows the viewer to move a pointer over different interactive areas of the guide and the function performed when the area is activated is displayed in a contextual help window. Various control glyphs provide for recursive interaction with the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Theresa A. Alba, Marcia A. Casement, William De Stein, David Folker, Keith W. Hunwick, Kenneth D. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20020116712
    Abstract: An improved television guide system. According to one embodiment of the invention, television guide information is provided that includes multiple occurrences of a single show. The guide system of the present invention allows the user to identify a show and, thereafter, identify when the identified show will be played again. Accordingly, the user may more easily select shows for viewing or recordation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: StarSight Telecast, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, David P. Warden, Molly K. King, Theresa A. Alba, Robert E. Russman