Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Ward

Thomas E. Ward 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: 20140208362
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ronald Alexander, Stephen Dias, Kenneth S. Hancock, Elsie Y. Leung, Douglas B. Macrae, Arthur Y. Ng, Shawn P. O'Neil, P. Christopher Shoaff, Jonathon Sutton, Thomas E. Ward, Thomas E. Westberg, Henry C. Yuen
  • Publication number: 20140162323
    Abstract: A genetically modified organism comprising: at least one nucleic acid sequence and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and encoding a polypeptide involved in at least partially degrading, cleaving, transporting, metabolizing, or removing polysaccharides, cellulose, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, sugars, sugar oligomers, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, chitin, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups; and at least one nucleic acid sequence and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide involved in fermenting sugar molecules to a product. Additionally, enzymatic and/or proteinaceous extracts may be isolated from one or more genetically modified organisms. The extracts are utilized to convert biomass into a product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: David N. Thompson, William A. Apel, Vicki S. Thompson, Thomas E. Ward
  • Patent number: 8732757
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Gemstar Development Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ward, III, Kenneth Hancock, Douglas B. Macrae
  • Patent number: 8726311
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Gemstar Development Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ward, III, Kenneth Hancock, Douglas B. Macrae
  • Patent number: 8691525
    Abstract: A genetically modified organism comprising: at least one nucleic acid sequence and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and encoding a polypeptide involved in at least partially degrading, cleaving, transporting, metabolizing, or removing polysaccharides, cellulose, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, sugars, sugar oligomers, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, chitin, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups; and at least one nucleic acid sequence and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide involved in fermenting sugar molecules to a product. Additionally, enzymatic and/or proteinaceous extracts may be isolated from one or more genetically modified organisms. The extracts are utilized to convert biomass into a product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: David N. Thompson, William A. Apel, Vicki S. Thompson, Thomas E. Ward
  • Patent number: 8689259
    Abstract: An EPG database for a home entertainment system includes files that contain information about television programs retrievable by time and channel. The files are linked to each other so information about a future television program can be obtained by accessing a file about a current television program. A current television program displayed on the screen of a home entertainment system includes an announcement or advertisement of a future television program. The availability of an electronic program guide function (e.g., record, watch, details, display time, display channel, display by theme, and Internet connection) is signaled during, before, or after the announcement. A command is issued to invoke the EPG function. The information about the future television program is retrieved from the file about the current television program in the database. The EPG function is executed with the retrieved information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Index Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry C. Yuen, Thomas E. Ward, Eric Shalkey, P. Christopher Shoaff
  • Publication number: 20140089980
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ronald Alexander, Stephen Dias, Kenneth S. Hancock, Elsie Y. Leung, Douglas B. Macrae, Arthur Y. Ng, Shawn P. O'Neil, P. Christopher Shoaff, Jonathon Sutton, Thomas E. Ward, Thomas E. Westberg, Henry C. Yuen
  • Patent number: 8635649
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Gemstar Development Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ward, III, Kenneth Hancock, Douglas B. Macrae
  • Publication number: 20130302858
    Abstract: A genetically modified organism comprising: at least one nucleic acid sequence and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and encoding a polypeptide involved in at least partially degrading, cleaving, transporting, metabolizing, or removing polysaccharides, cellulose, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, sugars, sugar oligomers, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, chitin, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan, or mannan-decorating groups; and at least one nucleic acid sequence and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide involved in fermenting sugar molecules to a product. Additionally, enzymatic and/or proteinaceous extracts may be isolated from one or more genetically modified organisms. The extracts are utilized to convert biomass into a product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: David N. Thompson, William A. Apel, Vicki S. Thompson, Thomas E. Ward
  • Patent number: 8492114
    Abstract: A genetically modified organism comprising: at least one nucleic acid sequence and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and encoding a polypeptide involved in at least partially degrading, cleaving, transporting, metabolizing, or removing polysaccharides, cellulose, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, sugars, sugar oligomers, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, chitin, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups; and at least one nucleic acid sequence and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide involved in fermenting sugar molecules to a product. Additionally, enzymatic and/or proteinaceous extracts may be isolated from one or more genetically modified organisms. The extracts are utilized to convert biomass into a product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: David N. Thompson, William A. Apel, Vicki S. Thompson, Thomas E. Ward
  • Patent number: 8448209
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Gemstar Development Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ward, III, Kenneth Hancock, Douglas B. Macrae
  • Patent number: 8336071
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Gemstar Development Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ward, III, Kenneth Hancock, Douglas B. Macrae
  • Publication number: 20110154397
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a television schedule guide which includes a detector for determining whether a previously scrambled program is unscrambled. If a previously scrambled program is momentarily unscrambled due to promotional efforts by the program provider, the system will visually distinguish the program on the guide, and a viewer may tune to or record the program from the guide. The view may also subscribe to the program provider through the guide during the promotional period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Gemstar Development Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas B. Macrae, Thomas E. Ward, III, Kenneth S. Hancock, Jonathan B. Orlick
  • Patent number: 7941818
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Index Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ward, III, Ted Nesson
  • Publication number: 20110081683
    Abstract: A genetically modified organism comprising: at least one nucleic acid sequence and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and encoding a polypeptide involved in at least partially degrading, cleaving, transporting, metabolizing, or removing polysaccharides, cellulose, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, sugars, sugar oligomers, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, chitin, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan, or mannan-decorating groups; and at least one nucleic acid sequence and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide involved in fermenting sugar molecules to a product. Additionally, enzymatic and/or proteinaceous extracts may be isolated from one or more genetically modified organisms. The extracts are utilized to convert biomass into a product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: David N. Thompson, William A. Apel, Vicki S. Thompson, Thomas E. Ward
  • Patent number: 7921441
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a television schedule guide which includes a detector for determining whether a previously scrambled program is unscrambled. If a previously scrambled program is momentarily unscrambled due to promotional efforts by the program provider, the system will visually distinguish the program on the guide, and a viewer may tune to or record the program from the guide. The view may also subscribe to the program provider through the guide during the promotional period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Gemstar Development Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas B Macrae, Thomas E Ward, III, Kenneth S Hancock, Jonathan B Orlick
  • Publication number: 20110035770
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ward, III, Kenneth Hancock, Douglas B. Macrae
  • Publication number: 20110035771
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ward, III, Kenneth Hancock, Douglas B. Macrae
  • Publication number: 20100319020
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a computer system for managing advertisements for use in an interactive electronic television program guide (EPG) comprising: a memory storing information regarding advertisements to be displayed on the EPG including one or more of the group of: times of day of ad display, duration of ad displays, location of ad displays, days of week of ad displays, television programs broadcast at or about the time of ad display; rotation rate for ads, number of ads being rotated with the ad, memory required for storage of ad at EPG location, payment rates for ads. The invention determines the distribution of advertisements based on the information stored in the memory and distributes advertisements to the EPG based on the determined distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Henry C. Yuen, Thomas E. Ward, III, Douglas B. Macrae
  • Publication number: 20100257553
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a computer system for managing advertisements for use in an interactive electronic television program guide (EPG) comprising: a memory storing information regarding advertisements to be displayed on the EPG including one or more of the group of: times of day of ad display, duration of ad displays, location of ad displays, days of week of ad displays, television programs broadcast at or about the time of ad display; rotation rate for ads, number of ads being rotated with the ad, memory required for storage of ad at EPG location, payment rates for ads. The invention determines the distribution of advertisements based on the information stored in the memory and distributes advertisements to the EPG based on the determined distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Henry C. Yuen, Thomas E. Ward, III, Douglas B. Macrae