Patents by Inventor Toby DeWeese

Toby DeWeese 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: 20150271563
    Abstract: An interactive television application with mosaic browsing is provided. Selectable cells that may be associated with entities are used to display information corresponding to the entities. Information may include brand marks such as logos or any other suitable entity identifier. A cell may be in focus or it may not be in focus. When a cell is in focus the information displayed in the cell may be different than the information displayed when the cell is not in focus. Users may navigate among cells. The cells may be grouped into regions based on, for example, their association with similar entities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth F. Carpenter, JR., Johnny B. Corvin, Bryan M. Drummond, Michael D. Ellis, Edward B. Knudson, Jeffrey B. Rush, Toby DeWeese
  • Patent number: 9071877
    Abstract: An interactive television application with mosaic browsing is provided. Selectable cells that may be associated with entities are used to display information corresponding to the entities. Information may include brand marks such as logos or any other suitable entity identifier. A cell may be in focus or it may not be in focus. When a cell is in focus the information displayed in the cell may be different than the information displayed when the cell is not in focus. Users may navigate among cells. The cells may be grouped into regions based on, for example, their association with similar entities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth F. Carpenter, Jr., Johnny B. Corvin, Bryan Mitchell Drummond, Michael D. Ellis, Edward B. Knudson, Jeffrey B. Rush, Toby DeWeese
  • Publication number: 20150106854
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing audio-based guidance features are provided. A guidance application may provide listings displays having listings for audio-friendly content. The listings may be indicated as listings for audio-friendly content. The guidance application may provide displays dedicated to listings for audio-friendly content. The guidance application provides audio-prompts describing display screens. The guidance application may determine a user's identity from a voice command and provide personalized guidance features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: ROVI GUIDES, INC.
    Inventors: Constance Fabian-Isaacs, Charles B. Ammann, Toby DeWeese
  • Publication number: 20150082354
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an interactive display having indicators of video-on-demand programs are described. The systems and methods select indicators for inclusion in the interactive display according to a promotional selection algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Robert H. McCoy, Daniel I. Lumley, Bryan Mitchell Drummond, Toby DeWeese
  • Patent number: 8949902
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing audio-based guidance features are provided. A guidance application may provide listings displays having listings for audio-friendly content. The listings may be indicated as listings for audio-friendly content. The guidance application may provide displays dedicated to listings for audio-friendly content. The guidance application provides audio-prompts describing display screens. The guidance application may determine a user's identity from a voice command and provide personalized guidance features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Constance Fabian-Isaacs, Charles B. Ammann, Toby DeWeese
  • Patent number: 8931008
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an interactive display having indicators of video-on-demand programs are described. The systems and methods select indicators for inclusion in the interactive display according to a promotional selection algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. McCoy, Daniel I. Lumley, Bryan Mitchell Drummond, Toby DeWeese
  • Patent number: 8918818
    Abstract: A television chat system that allows television viewers to engage in real-time communications in chat groups with other television viewers while watching television. Users of the television chat system may engage in real-time communications with other uses who are currently watching the same television program or channel. The system allows real-time communications in a chat group to be transmitted between users at user television equipment devices via a television distribution facility. The television chat system permits users to join chat groups related to television programs, channels, or categories of programs that the user may be interested in. Real-time communications may be textual messages, audio communications, or video communications. The television chat system may also allow users to send chat requests to ask other users to enter a chat group, and permits users to establish chat groups that television viewers are permitted to join.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Toby DeWeese, Pamela L. McKissick, William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20140208367
    Abstract: A television chat system is provided that allows television viewers to engage in real-time communications in chat groups with other television viewers while watching television. Users of the television chat system may engage in real-time communications with other users who are currently watching the same television program or channel. The system allows real-time communications in a chat group to be transmitted between users at user television equipment devices via a television distribution facility. The television chat system of the present invention permits users to join chat groups related to television programs, channels, or categories of programs that the user may be interested in. Real-time communications may be textual messages, audio communications, or video communications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Toby DeWeese, Pamela L. McKissick, William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20140157318
    Abstract: An interactive television application with mosaic browsing is provided. Selectable cells that may be associated with entities are used to display information corresponding to the entities. Information may include brand marks such as logos or any other suitable entity identifier. A cell may be in focus or it may not be in focus. When a cell is in focus the information displayed in the cell may be different than the information displayed when the cell is not in focus. Users may navigate among cells. The cells may be grouped into regions based on, for example, their association with similar entities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth F. Carpenter, JR., Johnny B. Corvin, Bryan M. Drummond, Michael D. Ellis, Edward B. Knudson, Jeffrey B. Rush, Toby DeWeese
  • Publication number: 20140108012
    Abstract: A user speech interface for interactive media guidance applications, such as television program guides, guides for audio services, guides for video-on-demand (VOD) services, guides for personal video recorders (PVRs), or other suitable guidance applications is provided. Voice commands may be received from a user and guidance activities may be performed in response to the voice commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: M. Scott Reichardt, David M. Berezowski, Michael D. Ellis, Toby DeWeese
  • Patent number: 8683517
    Abstract: An interactive television application with mosaic browsing is provided. Selectable cells that may be associated with entities are used to display information corresponding to the entities. Information may include brand marks such as logos or any other suitable entity identifier. A cell may be in focus or it may not be in focus. When a cell is in focus the information displayed in the cell may be different than the information displayed when the cell is not in focus. Users may navigate among cells. The cells may be grouped into regions based on, for example, their association with similar entities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth F. Carpenter, Jr., Johnny B. Corvin, Bryan M. Drummond, Michael D. Ellis, Edward B. Knudson, Jeffrey B. Rush, Toby DeWeese
  • Patent number: 8660846
    Abstract: A user speech interface for interactive media guidance applications, such as television program guides, guides for audio services, guides for video-on-demand (VOD) services, guides for personal video recorders (PVRs), or other suitable guidance applications is provided. Voice commands may be received from a user and guidance activities may be performed in response to the voice commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Scott Reichardt, David M. Berezowski, Michael D. Ellis, Toby DeWeese
  • Publication number: 20130332957
    Abstract: A television chat system is provided that allows television viewers to engage in real-time communications in chat groups with other television viewers while watching television. Users of the television chat system may engage in real-time communications with other users who are currently watching the same television program or channel. The system allows real-time communications in a chat group to be transmitted between users at user television equipment devices via a television distribution facility. The television chat system of the present invention permits users to join chat groups related to television programs, channels, or categories of programs that the user may be interested in. Real-time communications may be textual messages, audio communications, or video communications. The television chat system may also allow users to send chat requests to ask other users to enter a chat group. The system also permits users to establish chat groups that television viewers are permitted to join.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Toby DeWeese, Pamela L. McKissick, William L. Thomas, Michael D. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20130179924
    Abstract: An interactive television application with mosaic browsing is provided. Selectable cells that may be associated with entities are used to display information corresponding to the entities. Information may include brand marks such as logos or any other suitable entity identifier. A cell may be in focus or it may not be in focus. When a cell is in focus the information displayed in the cell may be different than the information displayed when the cell is not in focus. Users may navigate among cells. The cells may be grouped into regions based on, for example, their association with similar entities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth F. Carpenter, JR., Johnny B. Corvin, Bryan M. Drummond, Michael D. Ellis, Edward B. Knudson, Jeffrey B. Rush, Toby DeWeese
  • Patent number: 8433571
    Abstract: A user speech interface for interactive media guidance applications, such as television program guides, guides for audio services, guides for video-on-demand (VOD) Services, guides for personal video recorders (PVRs), or other suitable guidance applications is provided. Voice commands may be received from a user and guidance activities may be performed in response to the voice commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Scott Reichardt, David M. Berezowski, Michael D. Ellis, Toby DeWeese
  • Patent number: 8413185
    Abstract: An interactive television application with mosaic browsing is provided. Selectable cells that may be associated with entities are used to display information corresponding to the entities. Information may include brand marks such as logos or any other suitable entity identifier. A cell may be in focus or it may not be in focus. When a cell is in focus the information displayed in the cell may be different than the information displayed when the cell is not in focus. Users may navigate among cells. The cells may be grouped into regions based on, for example, their association with similar entities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth F. Carpenter, Jr., Johnny B. Corvin, Bryan M. Drummond, Michael D. Ellis, Edward B. Knudson, Jeffrey B. Rush, Toby DeWeese
  • Publication number: 20120260294
    Abstract: A user speech interface for interactive media guidance applications, such as television program guides, guides for audio services, guides for video-on-demand (VOD) Services, guides for personal video recorders (PVRs), or other suitable guidance applications is provided. Voice commands may be received from a user and guidance activities may be performed in response to the voice commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: M. Scott Reichardt, David M. Berezowksi, Michael D. Ellis, Toby DeWeese
  • Publication number: 20120072956
    Abstract: Interactive media systems and methods are provided for substituting pause-time content in place of media that has been paused. The user may pause media such as real-time media, video-on-demand media, near video-on-demand, or recorded media. If the user pauses real-time media or near video-on-demand media, the interactive media application may store the media. The interactive media application may also provide the user with the ability to rewind, resume play of, and fast-forward the media. The pause-time content may be audio or video media and may be an advertisement, trivia, program summaries or any other suitable pause-time content. The interactive media application may provide customized pause-time content specific to the user or specific to the media paused by using media data associated with the media. The interactive media application may also prevent the user from accessing features (e.g., fast-forward) of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: William L. Thomas, David M. Berezowski, Michael D. Ellis, S. Sean Moore, Toby DeWeese
  • Patent number: 8121846
    Abstract: A user speech interface for interactive media guidance applications, such as television program guides, guides for audio services, guides for video-on-demand (VOD) services, guides for personal video recorders (PVRs), or other suitable guidance applications is provided. Voice commands may be received from a user and guidance activities may be performed in response to the voice commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Scott Reichardt, David M. Berezowski, Michael D. Ellis, Toby DeWeese
  • Publication number: 20110243534
    Abstract: Interactive media systems and methods are provided for substituting pause-time content in place of media that has been paused. The user may pause media such as real-time media, video-on-demand media, near video-on-demand, or recorded media. If the user pauses real-time media or near video-on-demand media, the interactive media application may store the media. The interactive media application may also provide the user with the ability to rewind, resume play of, and fast-forward the media. The pause-time content may be audio or video media and may be an advertisement, trivia, program summaries or any other suitable pause-time content. The interactive media application may provide customized pause-time content specific to the user or specific to the media paused by using media data associated with the media. The interactive media application may also prevent the user from accessing features (e.g., fast-forward) of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: William L. Thomas, David M. Berezowski, Michael D. Ellis, S. Sean Moore, Toby DeWeese