Abstract: 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. The system coordinates the operation of the interactive television program guides so that the program guide settings that were adjusted with the given interactive television program guide are used by the other 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. The operation of applications such as web browser applications, home shopping applications, home banking applications, game applications, etc. may also be coordinated.

Abstract: A program guide system is provided in which interactive television program guide advertisement usage is monitored. Advertisement usage may be monitored by monitoring when advertisements are transmitted from a television distribution facility to user television equipment. Advertisement usage information may also be monitored by monitoring when advertisements are received by the user television equipment. Advertisement usage information may also be monitored at the time at which advertisements are displayed by a program guide. Less important data may be filtered from the collected advertisement usage data. Other activities that may be monitored include the viewing activities of the user, which program guide screens are displayed, and which non-program-guide applications are used. Real-time ratings information (e.g., real-time ratings of the popularity of certain television programs, video games, or other applications) may be provided to users in real time.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system with program series reminder and recording capabilities is provided. The system allows a user to set a reminder or schedule a recording for a single episode or for each episode of a program series. In addition, other options may be provided that allow the user to determine, for example, whether to schedule reminders/recordings for episodes on all channels on which the program airs or only on a selected channels, whether to schedule reminders/recordings for all episodes including reruns or only new episodes, whether to schedule reminders/recordings for network or syndicated episodes, and whether to schedule reminders/recordings for episodes on all days or only on selected days of the week. Before the scheduled broadcast time of each episode of each selected program series, the system sends a reminder message to the user that reminds the user of the program episode or sends a record command to a videocassette recorder to initiate recording of the episode.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a user may use the program guide to watch one program while simultaneously recording another program without interrupting the recording or viewing process. This interactive television program guide system also allows a user the to utilize all or some of the program guide features while in the watch and record mode depending on the embodiment that is being implemented. Further, this watch and record system may be implemented using a multiple tuner set-top box or a single tuner set-top box with a RF bypass or digital switch. In addition to a set-top box, the system may be implemented using a satellite receiver, an advanced television with a processor and memory, or a computer. The various implementations provide a very versatile watch and record environment for the user.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a user may use the program guide to watch one program while simultaneously recording another program without interrupting the recording or viewing process. This interactive television program guide system also allows a user the to utilize all or some of the program guide features while in the watch and record mode depending on the embodiment that is being implemented. Further, this watch and record system may be implemented using a multiple tuner set-top box or a single tuner set-top box with a RF bypass or digital switch. In addition to a set-top box, the system may be implemented using a satellite receiver, an advanced television with a processor and memory, or a computer. The various implementations provide a very versatile watch and record environment for the user.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to select programs for recording on a remote media server. Programs may also be recorded on a local media server. The program guide provides users with VCR-like control over programs that are played back from the media servers and over real-time cached copies of the programs. The program guide also provides users with an opportunity to designate gift recipients for whom programs may be recorded.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system with program series reminder and recording capabilities is provided. The system allows a user to set a reminder or schedule a recording for a single episode or for each episode of a program series. In addition, other options may be provided that allow the user to determine, for example, whether to schedule reminders/recordings for episodes on all channels on which the program airs or only on a selected channels, whether to schedule reminders/recordings for all episodes including reruns or only new episodes, whether to schedule reminders/recordings for network or syndicated episodes, and whether to schedule reminders/recordings for episodes on all days or only on selected days of the week. Before the scheduled broadcast time of each episode of each selected program series, the system sends a reminder message to the user that reminds the user of the program episode or sends a record command to a videocassette recorder to initiate recording of the episode.

Abstract: A program guide system is provided in which interactive television program guide advertisement usage is monitored. Advertisement usage may be monitored by monitoring when advertisements are transmitted from a television distribution facility to user television equipment. Advertisement usage information may also be monitored by monitoring when advertisements are received by the user television equipment. Advertisement usage information may also be monitored at the time at which advertisements are displayed by a program guide. Less important data may be filtered from the collected advertisement usage data. Other activities that may be monitored include the viewing activities of the user, which program guide screens are displayed, and which non-program-guide applications are used. Real-time ratings information (e.g., real-time ratings of the popularity of certain television programs, video games, or other applications) may be provided to users in real time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for an advertising bidding system in which advertisers can bid on advertising time slots or enhanced ads that can be inserted in either prerecorded or live television programming. A high degree of flexibility is provided by allowing embedded ads to be purchased and displayed in a very short time period. This allows TV broadcasters to increase revenues and allows advertisers to have more flexibility in advertising. Objects can be inserted in the display video broadcast using enhancements such as by using mark-up language overlay pages or by video combination techniques. The effect of these ads can be evaluated for advertising campaigns.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for conditionally presenting selected categories of advertising to viewers. Advertisements may be included as part of a broadcast signal, may be acquired from a channel or MPEG stream different from a viewed program, may be downloaded from network including the Internet and may be stored locally in a set top box. Computer program code operating in a set top box selects an advertisement from a plurality of ads based upon indicator information including category and priority level. Viewer category selections may be entered by the user, may be selected in response to use of a personalized remote control, or may be provided in a pre-programmed set top box. Viewer requests for categories of advertisements or for specific advertisements may be processed by upstream equipment to formulate a broadcast schedule. Viewer may pay an upgrade fee for viewing upgraded advertising and/or advertisers may pay a fee based upon the number of times an ad is displayed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for displaying targeted information based upon preference and/or demographic data. In one embodiment, generalized triggers are sent to a set-top box which contains the preference and/or demographic data. Downloaded addresses of targeted information are selected based upon the trigger and the preference and/or demographic data. Targeted data is then downloaded from a selected site for display to a viewer. In another embodiment, the preference and/or demographic data is stored at an upstream source. In another embodiment, multiple triggers are transmitted to the set-top box which then selects an address of targeted information from the multiple triggers based upon the preference and/or demographic data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system that digitally decodes and combines portions of two or more broadcast video signals in a memory of a set top box in a manner described by a presentation description. The presentation description may be transferred as part of a broadcast video signal or may be accessed across a network. Different presentation descriptions may be sent to different set top boxes depending on set top box type or user preferences. The presentation description may be modified by user input or by stored user preferences. Audio and/or image portions of the video signals may be combined to produce a combined video output. Combination methods include replacement, logical and mathematical operations or a combination thereof. The presentation description may include dynamic variables that specify the manner of combination for a plurality of frames or a specified period of display.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system that renders enhancement images onto receptor sites of a scene of a pre-existing program. A receptor site defines an area of a scene onto which an enhancement image may be rendered and provides information that may include size, scale, rotation, perspective, contour and coloration. Rendering processes may be direct, planar, conformal, blended, or migrated and may produce photo-realistic images that appear to be a natural part of a scene. Selection of enhancements may be targeted or opportunistic and may employ secondary selection criteria including demographics, viewer preferences, pricing and other information. Receptor site identification may employ human or software resources, or a combination thereof. Receptor site information may be determined through human or software resources or a combination thereof and may include the acquisition of characteristics of a displayed object image that then may be applied to an enhancement image.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for synchronizing environmental modifiers and actuators with the video and audio components of television programs to produce sensual representations or simulations of suggested environment or actions. The system includes a central device in the viewing household that receives the control data for any and/or all of the environmental modifiers (actuators). This device may be built into the television or associated components or may be entirely independent. The device receives the control signals from any available source and sends the proper control data or signals to the associated peripherals or components.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system in which “labels,” comprising supplemental information such as advertising, promotional, or informational elements including interactive elements, may be superimposed post-production into a video stream. This can be done by using overlay screens including interactive overlay screens or by combining video segments. As such, the labels do not have to physically be part of the actual scene during filming. Once a video stream is created, a space for available advertising is designated either manually or automatically by pattern recognition techniques. A list of available advertising space is generated. During viewing of television broadcasts, advertisements are placed in the video signal. Labels are displayed by superimposing an HTML page that is blank except for the advertisement onto the video signal. Advertisements can be superimposed post-production, and can be personalized and localized. The advertisements can be customized on a per-household basis.

Abstract: A television program is transmitted on a first channel and enhancements to the program are broadcast on a second channel. The first channel comprises a video service channel. The second channel may comprise an out-of-bounds (OOB) channel, a non-service channel, or a non-utilized service channel. Enhancements may be extracted from video information containing program content and enhancements. Channel, timing, and control information may be combined with enhancements prior to transmission. Combination may conform to extensions to the Advanced Television Enhancement Forum (ATVEF) specification. A receiver may store part of the enhancements and may render enhancements in response to channel, timing, or control information. Enhancements may be compressed prior to transmission. A receiver may compress enhancements. A receiver may comprise an adjustable tuner operable to receive the second channel. Adjustment of the tuner may be in response to received information or a software program in the receiver.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for generating affinity data, i.e. data that indicates the interest of a viewer or user in broadcast information such as a video, audio or data broadcast. Automated or manual selection can be made either at an upstream site or at the set-top box for selecting alternative sources of content based upon the affinity data. Return channels can be provided through upstream transmissions through a cable, Internet connections, etc. to an origination site which may comprise a content provider, a TV studio, a head-end, or other upstream location. Affinity data can be remotely sensed by sensors, that are built in or connected, to the set-top box. Further, affinity data can be manually generated by the viewer or user, by various methods such as manually entering data in response to trigger icons that appear on a video broadcast or audio transmission.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system that generates correlated video signals that are a combination of separate video signals that interrelate to each other in some fashion. The separate video signals are transmitted through a transmission channel to a viewer location. Separate video decoders decode the video signals at the viewer location. Presentation description instructions are also transmitted to the viewer location and are used to generate control signals to control the combination of the video signals at the viewer location.