| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 725042000 | Commercial or advertisement | 74 |
| 20080201742 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISSEMINATING ADVERTISEMENTS BY PRESENCE INFORMATION - The present invention discloses a method, a system, and an advertisement server for disseminating advertisements by means of presence information, so as to solve the problem that the advertisement dissemination by means of a presence system can not be recorded effectively in the prior art. The method disclosed in the present invention comprises: subscribing to, by the watcher, the presence information of the presentity; publishing, by the presentity, the presence information with advertisement information and presentity ID to the presence server; notifying, by the presence server, the watcher of the presence information with presentity ID; sending, by the watcher, the presentity ID to the advertisement server; and, recording, by the advertisement server, the presentity ID. Because the advertisement server records the presentity ID, it knows how the watcher obtains the advertisement, and thereby can record the advertisement dissemination effectively. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080244654 | System and Method for Providing a Directory of Advertisements - Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a system and method for providing a directory of advertisements comprising receiving a menu command, outputting a user menu at a display device in response to receiving the menu command, receiving one or more entries based on interactions with the user menu to select an advertisement and corresponding advertisement data, retrieving the advertisement and corresponding advertisement data in response to receiving on one or more entries, and outputting, at the display device, at least one of the retrieved advertisement and the retrieved corresponding advertisement data. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080282290 | Interactive Viewer for Advertisements - A system, method, and computer-readable media are presented for displaying an interactive viewer associated with an advertisement within a user interface. In one aspect, the system includes an advertisement manager for providing advertisements in response to request from clients. The system further includes a rendering component for determining if an advertisement has an associated interactive viewer, determining features associated with the advertisement, and displaying the interactive viewer including the determined features. Additionally, the system includes an event tracking module for monitoring a user's interaction with the interactive viewer, and reporting feedback regarding the interaction to the advertisement manager. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080301733 | Method and system for displaying advertisements between schedule listings - In one embodiment, the invention is a system and method for simultaneously displaying advertisements with an electronic program guide (EPG). The system displays television schedule information in rows of schedule information items including the time and channel for at least a portion of the displayed television schedule information items. An advertisement is selected for display from a plurality of advertisements, and the selected advertisement is displayed between two rows of the schedule information items simultaneously with the displayed television schedule information items. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20090037955 | ADVERTISEMENTS FOR USE IN A PROGRAM GUIDE - Row advertisements for use in a program guide are described. An example includes a program guide to aid a user navigate a media presentation system; a list of entries to represent a plurality of programs; an advertisement positioned within the list of entries, wherein the advertisement is interactive to allow a user to manipulate the advertisement, and wherein the advertisement is associated with one of the plurality of programs. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090055869 | Method for Controlling Video Content Display and Display and Computer Readable Medium with Embedded OSD which the Method Disclosed - In a method for controlling video content display and a display and a computer readable medium, the method accomplishes the video display control through setting the corresponding parameter value of a video display control item in an on screen display of the display, and the video includes a first video content such as an image and a second video content such as a subtitle. Accordingly, the display device completes the video display control directly and quiet straightforward. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090144772 | VIDEO OBJECT TAG CREATION AND PROCESSING - An indication of an object included in a frame of a video content item is received. A tag is associated with the object, the tag including a reference to a media content item. An additional frame that includes the object is identified in the video content item. The tag is associated with the additional frame in the video content item. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090158333 | Enabling Advertisements in Designated Periods of a Recurring Schedule - Systems and methods of enabling advertisements in a digital home communication terminal according to a recurring schedule are disclosed. One such method comprises receiving and storing an advertisement. The method further comprises associating the stored advertisement with a recurring schedule. The method further comprises presenting the advertisement in accordance with the associated recurring schedule. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090158334 | Characterization of Advertisements into Selectable Subcategories - Systems and method of organizing advertisements in a digital home communication terminal are disclosed. One such method includes displaying a plurality of advertisement categories corresponding to products, services, or combinations thereof. The method also includes receiving a user selection of one of the advertisement categories. The method also includes displaying a plurality of subcategories associated with the user selected advertisement category, responsive to the user selection. The method also includes receiving a user selection of one of the subcategories. The method also includes presenting an advertisement matching the selected advertisement category and subcategory. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090158335 | Interactive Consumption of Advertisements with Respectively Value Levels - Systems and methods of interactive consumption of advertisements in a digital home communication terminal are disclosed. One such method comprises: presenting a plurality of advertisements, each advertisement associated with a value; and tracking a total value of the presented advertisements, wherein the frequency or duration of the presented advertisements is inversely proportional to the total value. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090178079 | ADVERTISEMENT PRESENTATION AND TRACKING IN A TELEVISION APPARATUS - A system and a method is disclosed which allows both advertisement and program information to be shown on a channel banner, while user changes channel. In another embodiment, an “advertisement channel” is inserted into an active channel list (e.g., scan list), so that when a user is changing channel, a selected ad will be displayed. In yet another embodiment, a method for tracking and collating advertisement display activity in a video system supporting composite display of image data associated with different multimedia functions and advertisements is disclosed. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20100031291 | CONTENT DETECTION DEVICE IN DIGITAL BROADCAST - A content detecting device for a digital broadcast signal receiver or a recording apparatus that records the digital broadcast signal. When information in program specific information and information in an electronic program guide information in the memory contradict each other concerning presence or absence of one of a closed captioning broadcast and a data broadcast, a detecting unit causes the memory to store information indicating the detection of the commercial. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100100906 | Scheduling and presenting IPG ads in conjunction with programming ads in a television environment of application - A method and system whereby conventional television advertisements (i.e., those delivered to viewers while they watch television programming) can be delivered in conjunction with and correlated with advertisements that are presented to viewers in the Interactive Program Guide (IPG). Moreover, the invention described herein provides for delivering highly targeted ads to viewers in both conventional programming avails and in the IPG, and for linking the targeted ads in these two media to provide for enhanced and highly effective advertising campaigns. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100138863 | CONVERTING, NAVIGATING AND DISPLAYING VIDEO CONTENT UPLOADED FROM THE INTERNET TO A DIGITAL TV VIDEO-ON-DEMAND PLATFORM - Video content is uploaded via the Internet to a video-on-demand (VOD) server identified by a title and a hierarchical address of categories and subcategories for categorizing the title. The VOD server converts and stores the video content at a storage address in a video content database linked to the title. The title is listed in a location of an electronic program guide (EPG) using the same categories and subcategories as in its hierarchical address. Any TV subscriber can access the EPG and navigate through its categories and subcategories to find a title for viewing on the TV. This can enable many, new blogging or podcasting-like programs by popular “Hosts” to be self-published on the Internet and readily navigated for display on TV. The EPG can also store TV program addresses as bookmarks and allow them to be shared with other subscribers or with friends and contacts online by sending to their email addresses. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100186038 | MEDIA LIBRARY IN AN INTERACTIVE MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATION - Systems and methods for selecting content for a media library using an interactive media guidance application are provided. The user may search for content to select by entering search terms in a search page and selecting content from search results in a search results page. The user may also select content by directly entering identification for the content, selecting content from a message suggesting content, or by selecting content from interactive media guidance application pages. The content may include content that is currently available and bookmarks for content that is not yet available. For such bookmarks, when the content becomes available, the interactive media guidance application may notify the user and/or add the actual content to the media library. The user may access the media library from any user device and perform any suitable operation with the content of the media library (e.g., download content to a user device or playback content). | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100192180 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING SUBSCRIPTION DATA - A media guidance application is provided by which users can view program listings associated with programming that the user may access using other user equipment devices. The media guidance application, implemented on, for example, a remote system, may determine through communications with television equipment whether or not the television equipment is authorized to provide a particular package of television programming to be viewed by the user. For example, an online program guide application may determine whether or not television equipment allows a user to view particular channels and, based on that determination, proceed to determine what packages of programming the user subscribes to. A customized program guide may then be displayed based on what programming the user subscribes to on various systems. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100205635 | INTERACTIVE TELEVISION SYSTEM WITH PROGRAMMING-RELATED LINKS - An interactive television system with programming-related links is provided. The system may include user television equipment on which interactive program guide and non-program-guide applications may be implemented. Information that is displayed in a display screen for a non-program-guide application may be related to programming. A display screen or overlay for programming that is related to the information may be displayed when a user selects the displayed information. The display or overlay for the programming may include advertisements, video, graphics, options, or programming descriptions. The display screen or overlay may have been displayed by the program guide application. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100223643 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING ADVERTISEMENTS BETWEEN SCHEDULE LISTINGS - In one embodiment, the invention is a system and method for simultaneously displaying advertisements with an electronic program guide (EPG). The system displays television schedule information in rows of schedule information items including the time and channel for least a portion of the displayed television schedule information items. An advertisement is selected for display from a plurality of advertisements, and the selected advertisement is displayed between two rows of the schedule information items simultaneously with the displayed television schedule information items. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100319027 | SEARCH ADVERTISEMENT BIDIRECTIONAL DATA BROADCASTING SYSTEM AND GENERATION METHOD THEREOF - The following invention is about a system for searching information and using interconnected advertisement service by TV Search System and Advertisement Managing System. The system following a desirable application of the invention includes a TV search application that enters a search word that works on a interactive data broadcasting TV that the viewer wishes to search, sends the word to the TV search system through an interaction channel, receives the search result and help the viewer navigate; a TV search return system that sends back through the interaction channel the search result of the search word and that the TV search application requested and some related advertisement content; an advertisement managing system that manages the advertisement connected to the search word; a client application that help the advertiser to operate the functions of the advertisement in a distant place. Through the use of this invention provide convenient search service on TV and make earning models by linking advertisements. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20110093897 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING ADVERTISING IN AN INTERACTIVE PROGRAM GUIDE - An interactive program guide containing schedule data for multiple channels and advertising data is provided to viewers on a screen. The advertising may be related to the programs adjacent thereto in the guide and to time slots displayed on the screen. The advertising scrolls in various directions in response to the viewer's scrolling of the grid, but at a different pace and according to a different scheme than the scrolling of the schedule data itself. For example, the advertising may remain on the screen in a predetermined location while the viewer scrolls the schedule data, and then scroll off the screen to be replaced by new ads after a predetermined number of channels scroll off the screen, or on the basis of time slots and/or adjacent channels displayed on the screen. This provides for greater viewer attention to the advertising and for greater control by advertisers over the manner and length in which advertising is presented to viewers. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110167449 | INFORMATION SYSTEM - A system and method for displaying an electronic program schedule guide is provided. The system has areas for displaying program schedule information. In addition, the system also has areas that may be used for advertising programs, products or services. In another embodiment, the system has areas for displaying messages to the user. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110179451 | Television Display - Display features of an interactive user interface for a TV environment allow a user to interact with objects and/or information within a display space. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110185386 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING ADVERTISING, VIDEO, AND PROGRAM SCHEDULE LISTING - 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. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110191804 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING ADVERTISEMENTS IN AN ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE - A system and method for displaying an electronic program schedule guide is provided. The system has areas for displaying program schedule information. In addition, the system also has areas that may be used for advertising programs, products or services. In another embodiment, the system has areas for displaying messages to the user. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110197231 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UTILIZING EPG DATABASE FOR MODIFYING ADVERTISEMENTS - 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. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110209180 | INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM THAT SERVES AS A PORTAL - A system is provided in which an interactive television program guide application and non-program-guide applications are at least partially implemented on user television equipment. A program guide program application interface is provided that is used to maintain a consistent user interface between the program guide application and the non-program-guide applications. Non-program-guide applications may be launched by the program guide application. The user may select certain non-program-guide applications as favorites and may set parental controls for certain non-program-guide applications. The program guide application may run in the background while a non-program-guide application operates. While the non-program-guide application operates, the program guide may check for events that require immediate attention. When such an event is detected, operation of the non-program-guide application may be suspended and the user may be asked whether the detected event should take place or whether operation of the non-program-guide application should be resumed. The applications may be located at a remote location such as on a server at a cable system headend or on a server on the Internet. The program application interface may perform authentication and access rights determination functions. Reminders may be set for the content of non-program-guide applications. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110231877 | Interactive Television Advertising Method - A method of providing advertising from a central database server connected to a global computer network to distributed sites via interactive television. A representative icon is presented to a subscriber on a television screen indicating an advertisement. When a the icon is selected, an advertisement information detail is retrieved from storage in a local memory, or from the central database server and presented to the subscriber on the television screen. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110247037 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING ENHANCED CONTENT BY WAY OF A VIRTUAL CHANNEL - Exemplary methods and systems for providing enhanced content by way of a virtual channel are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes a service provider subsystem providing a virtual channel, associating the virtual channel with a content provider, receiving enhanced content to be provided by way of the virtual channel from the content provider, associating one or more selectable triggers with the virtual channel, and providing a user with access to the enhanced content in response to a selection by the user of one of the one or more selectable triggers. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20120036535 | SET TOP BOX APPARATUS HAVING A RADIO FREQUENCY ANTENNA AND AN ASSOCIATED METHOD - Systems, methods, and devices are provided for receiving media content comprising a plurality of media channels; transmitting information related to the media content to at least one remote control; receiving, responsive to the transmitted information, user input related to different media channels of the plurality of media channels; concurrently tuning, based on the user input, the media content to the different media channels; converting the media content in the different media channels into transmission signals; and selectively transmit the transmission signals to different network devices. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120090005 | Holographic 3D Display - Disclosure is directed to projecting holographic images in connection with a program service such as cable or satellite television. In one instance, the projected holographic image may be an image of product that is featured in advertisement or other portion of program service. In another instance, the projected holographic image may be an image of a electronic programming guide with screens or menu displayed on sides of a cube or other geometric form. In still another instance, the projected holographic image is a video that supplements an instructional video or live broadcast. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120102526 | System and Method for Merging Network-Based Content with Broadcasted Programming Content - According to one embodiment of the invention, a method comprising an operation of identifying what programming content is currently being transmitted or is scheduled to be displayed by an electronic device that is adapted to receive programming content from a live content broadcaster. A lookup of networked content providers having stored content associated with the programming content is performed and metadata associated with the stored content is obtained. Then, relational information from the metadata is produced. The relational information is output for rendering at least one advanced option icon that is adapted to provide enhanced viewing functionality. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120117601 | USER INTERFACE FOR AUDIO VIDEO DISPLAY DEVICE SUCH AS TV - For a graphical user interface (GUI) for an audio video display device (AVDD) showing current video on a portion of the display, a bottom row of category icons is presented on at one end of the row a column of content panes representing content related to a category of a selected one of the icons. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120124625 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEARCHING AN INTERNET NETWORKING CLIENT ON A VIDEO DEVICE - A system and method for enabling a user to display and interact with a social networking structure on a video device connected to a network enabled host device is provided. A user interface (UI) | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120159549 | SONY EPG AND METADATA SOLUTION WITH MULTIPLE SERVICE SOURCES - A system, method, and computer program product are provided for combining electronic program guide data and metadata input from multiple service providers to a common gateway server that connects to consumer electronics devices. A unified interface enables users of a wide variety of consumer electronics devices to easily manage broadcast contents and network services, typically in real-time. In addition to traditional TV EPG applications such as on-screen menus and program descriptions, channel/program searching, and timer and DVR functions, the embodiments provide enhanced metadata features through an Internet connection, including media explorers, streaming content, recommendations and customized advertisements and related searches, and social networking applications. The server manages metadata format translation, and merges content to transparently switch between content providers. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120240164 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR POSITIONING ROW ADVERTISING IN A PROGRAM GUIDE - A method of arranging row ads system within a program guide includes communicating row ad metadata to a user device and communicating program guide information to a user device. The program guide information defines a plurality of rows, wherein at least a first row is associated with a first channel. The method includes associating positioning information with the row ad relative to the first row, populating a second row from the plurality of rows in response to the metadata and displaying the row ad and displaying the first row associated with the first channel within a program guide structure on a display associated with the user device in response to the positioning information. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120240165 | Delivering Personalized Media Items to a User of Interactive Television by Using Scrolling Tickers in a Hierarchical Manner - A system and method of delivering a personalized media item to a user of an interactive television is disclosed. The system comprises a television terminal, a computing device and a remote control device. The computing device further comprises a set top box. The computing device may be connected to a server through a communication network. The system stores a personal profile for each of its users. The user's identity is determined after a user switches on the television. Media items organized by media categories are stored in the computing device. A user may select a media item through a hierarchical user interface based upon scrolling tickers on the television terminal. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120260289 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING TRAVEL INFORMATION RELATED TO A STREAMING TRAVEL RELATED EVENT - Systems and methods for providing travel information associated with a presently viewed media content event. An exemplary method receives a selection for a media content event, receives a media content stream corresponding to the selected media content event, communicates the selected media content event to a media presentation device, communicates to the media presentation device a travel indicator during communication of the media content event, receives a user selection associated with the travel indicator, and presents travel information to the user based on the received user selection. The travel information is based on an analysis of content of the EPG information. The media content event is paused after receiving the user selection of the travel indicator. The travel information associated with the media content event is saved after receiving the user selection of the travel indicator. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20120278837 | PRESENTING RELATED CONTENT DURING A PLACESHIFTING SESSION - Systems and methods are provided for identifying instances of content available within a media distribution system that is related to a media program being streamed, presented, displayed, viewed, or otherwise placeshifted from a media device to a client device communicating with or otherwise coupled to the media device over a network. An exemplary method involves obtaining an identifier, metadata, or other descriptive information associated with a media program being presented on a client device, identifying content related to the streamed media program available from a content source in the media distribution system using the identifier, the metadata, or the descriptive information, and providing indication of the related content on the client device in conjunction with the media program. In an exemplary embodiment, the media program is streamed from the media device to the client device using a connection established over the network to create or otherwise support a placeshifting session. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20130024896 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING VIDEO TAPING REMINDERS - Electronic Guide products give the user the ability to videotape selected programs. Once a program has successfully been taped a message is displayed, reminding the viewer that they have taped it. (E.g. “You taped ______; have you watched it yet?”) Information comprising information that shows are taped, the particular shows taped and viewer profiles allow advertisements targeted to the viewer who typically records a given type of programming to be presented. | 01-24-2013 |
| 20130042272 | CONSUMER PURCHASES VIA MEDIA CONTENT RECEIVER - A method of facilitating purchases of products via a media content receiver is presented. In the method, the media content receiver receives media content representing a product. The receiver also receives a product code associated with the product. The media content representing the product is presented to a user. While presenting the media content, a request is received from a user. In response to receiving the request, the product code is transmitted. After transmitting the code, data descriptive of the product is received. The data is presented to the user. A product selection based on the data for the product is then received. In response to receiving the selection, an order for the product is transmitted. In another embodiment, no product codes are received at the receiver; instead, a channel identifier for a channel carrying the media content is transmitted instead of the product code. | 02-14-2013 |
| 20130111525 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION | 05-02-2013 |
| 20130139201 | INTERACTIVE USER INTERFACE FOR TELEVISION APPLICATIONS - An iTV user interface includes a navigable menu area through which a user can select from among a variety of services and a content display area in which formatted data associated with a selected menu service are displayed to the user. The formatted data is displayed in a rotating or ticker fashion having both a passive mode, in which the formatted data is displayed in a sequence independent of any selection operations by a television viewer, and active mode, in which the formatted data is displayed in a sequence that depends on selection operations by the television viewer. Advertisements and/or promotions may be interspersed among the content items. The navigable menu area and the content display area may be displayed to the viewer at the same time as television programming is displayed on the television. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130160056 | System and Method of Ad Delivery - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network device having a controller programmed to store a subscriber selectable preference for advertisements used for selecting advertisements to send to a set top box (STB) and receive a signal from a broadcast stream indicating the location for insertion of an advertisement based on the subscriber selectable preference. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130179925 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NAVIGATING THROUGH RELATED CONTENT BASED ON A PROFILE ASSOCIATED WITH A USER - Systems and methods for efficiently navigating through related content based on a profile associated with a user are provided. Content being displayed on the user equipment device from a first media asset received from a first content source of the plurality of content sources to a second media asset received from a second content source of the plurality of content sources is changed based on a first user selection of a first set of navigation keys. A second user selection of the second set of navigation keys is received. The second user selection is received while the second media asset is being displayed. A search for a plurality of content related to the second media asset is performed. A set of the plurality of content corresponding to a profile associated with the user is identified. The identified set is navigated based on the second user selection. | 07-11-2013 |
| 20130191869 | TV Social Network Advertising - An advertising method involves displaying a plurality of social network thumbnails as an array of thumbnails on a television display, where said plurality of social network thumbnails represent social network videos that are posted or linked to a social network post; representing an advertisement as a thumbnail representation; displaying the advertisement thumbnail representation within the array of thumbnails on the television display; and receiving an instruction selecting of one of the thumbnails to navigate to and responsive thereto displaying either one of the social network videos or the advertisement. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. | 07-25-2013 |
| 20130205342 | PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH ADVERTISEMENTS - 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. | 08-08-2013 |
| 20130247102 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO REQUEST AUDIOVISUAL CONTENT ITEMS MATCHED TO PROGRAMS IDENTIFIED IN A PROGRAM GRID - A method to obtain visual content items matched to scheduled programs comprising: providing a program guide display that includes a grid with grid locations that identify scheduled programs, and that correspond to respective a scheduled program air times and a respective program sources; wherein the program guide extends over a time frame prior to the current date; providing an icon associated with a grid location that indicates that a visual content item matched to the program identified by the grid location currently is available; providing an identifier that is encoded in computer readable storage device and that is associated with the grid location and that indicates a location where the visual content item can be obtained; and accessing the location indicated by the identifier in response to a user selection of the grid location associated with the icon. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130276031 | IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAME - An image display apparatus for receiving and processing a broadcast signal and a method for operating the same are disclosed. The method includes receiving a notification through a network interface or a tuner, generating a promotion card object including the notification by processing the received notification by a card object generator, and displaying the promotion card object on a display. | 10-17-2013 |
| 20130305287 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING A USER PROFILE BASED CUSTOMIZED MEDIA GUIDE THAT INCLUDES AN INTERNET SOURCE - Systems and methods for presenting user-generated content in an easily accessible manner using an interactive media guide are provided. In particular, a user may be able to peruse user-generated content through an interactive media guide which is also used to access non-user-generated media content such as linear programming (e.g., over-the-air broadcast, cable, and satellite scheduled programming) and on-demand media. The interactive media guide may include a provider of user-generated content populated with user-generated content according to the user's interests or most recently added to the provider. | 11-14-2013 |
| 20130305288 | DISPLAYING ADVERTISING IN AN ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE - Dynamically controlling advertisements on an electronic guide is disclosed. An advertisement cell on an electronic guide may be moved based on the movement of other cells. The advertisement cell may be subsequently kept stationary in relation to the other cells for a certain time portion. | 11-14-2013 |
| 20130326557 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING APPLICATION MENU IN IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE, AND IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE USING SAME - The present invention relates to a method for maintaining various application installed in an image display device, and more particularly, to a method for operating an image display device, the method allowing a user to more conveniently select and execute applications in configuring selection menus of the applications, and to an image display device using the method. The method comprises: searching for applications which can be used on an image display device; displaying a first application list including selected menu items of the selected applications; and displaying one or more application key screens from among the applications which are included in the first application list. Accordingly, the user of the image display device can be provided, from the image display device, with application menus, which include menu items for running the applications that can be used on the image display device. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20140089980 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MODIFYING ADVERTISEMENT RESPONSIVE TO EPG INFORMATION - 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. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140115631 | USER CONTROL OF AD SELECTION FOR SUBSEQUENT AD BREAK OF A STREAMING VIDEO - During or prior to streaming of video content to a client device, a server provides data configuring an interactive object on the client device. When activated by user input, the interactive object enables a user to select one or more video ads to be streamed to the client device during an upcoming ad break, during play of the streaming video. The interactive object enables the user to perform the selection without interrupting viewing of the video. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140157316 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CAPTURING AND STORING AN IMAGE RELATED TO A MEDIA ASSET - In one embodiment, the present invention is a t-commerce platform, which is linked to the content from a video signal that the user is currently watching. At some point during the broadcast of the content, a close-up of the product is shown. Simultaneous with this, a VBI-based trigger is added to the video signal of the broadcast. This trigger causes the television, a set-top box, or a similar device to capture in a memory, a “freeze-frame” of the image being shown. This action is transparent to the user while the video being displayed on the television is continuing normally. If the user chooses to perform an interactive “buy” transaction the saved image data is used as part of the interactive screen display. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140173660 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING AND MANAGING MULTIPLE CONTENT FEEDS AND SUPPLEMENTAL CONTENT BY CONTENT PROVIDER USING AN ON-SCREEN LITERACTIVE INTERFACE - A system for system administrator to distribute and manage multiple content feeds and supplemental content using an on-screen interactive interface includes: (a) various multimedia sources configured to provide multiple content feeds and supplemental contents, (b) a multimedia server configured to integrate multiple content feeds and supplemental contents over a network, (c) a computer communicatively coupled to the network configured for the system administrator to manage the schedule and the source of the multimedia sources, and (d) a multimedia control platform for various viewers to manage, access, and select the multiple content feeds and supplemental contents from the multimedia server through an on-screen interactive interface, and to display selected contents in various end user devices. The multiple content feeds and supplemental contents include one or more of following contents: (a) real time broadcast contents, (b) multimedia streaming contents, (c) supplemental multimedia contents, (d) multimedia content management information, and (e) advertisement contents. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140181870 | INFORMATION SYSTEM - A system and method for displaying an electronic program schedule guide is provided. The system has areas for displaying program schedule information. In addition, the system also has areas that may be used for advertising programs, products or services. In another embodiment, the system has areas for displaying messages to the user. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140189740 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING A SECOND SCREEN DEVICE FOR INTERACTING WITH A SET TOP BOX TO ENHANCE A USER EXPERIENCE - A system and method for displaying data related to a content displayed through a set top box includes a second screen device generating a content information request signal requesting data corresponding to the content, communicates the content information request signal to the set top box. The set top box communicates a content information signal to the second screen device comprising a content identifier. The second screen device generates a request for related data signal corresponding to the content using the content identifier, communicates the request for related data signal through a network, receives aggregated related content data corresponding to the content from a data services center and displays the aggregated related content data. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140250462 | HOME ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ITS OPERATION - 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 fee database. The EPG function is executed with the retrieved information. As a result, an EPG function can be performed with respect to a future television program without embedding information about the future television program in the television signal. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140250463 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADVERTISEMENT PLACEMENT IN A USER DIALOG ON A SET-TOP BOX - Methods and apparatuses for presenting targeted advertisements to DVR users are described. After a DVR has finished playing a recorded television program, or in response to other specified events, the DVR presents a screen which comprises a “save or delete” menu. In addition to the “save” and “delete” options, the menu additionally comprises one or more other options. Each of these other options may correspond to a separate promotional item. For example, a user's selection of such an option may cause the DVR to display or play an advertisement on the user's television set. Additionally or alternatively, these other options, when selected by a user, may cause the DVR to display a user interface through which the user can actually purchase a product or service. The product or service advertised or offered may be one that was featured or referenced in the television program that the user was just watching. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140325564 | Methods and Apparatus for Indexing and/or Advertising in a User Selected Downloaded Digital Video Recording - A method and apparatus of indexing a previously digitally recorded program of an audio and video program comprising: first, downloading the digital recording of the audio and video program; second, downloading from a server an index of the digital audio and video program to be associated with the digital recording of the audio and video program so as to navigate the digital recording of the audio and video program; third associating the index to the digital audio and video recording enabling a user of the digitally recorded audio and video program to navigate the digital recording of the audio and video program according to the index; and fourth, enabling the user to navigate the indexed associated digital recording of the audio/video program using the index applied to the digital recording of the audio and video program among many other aspects not allowed regarding the length of this abstract. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140373062 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING A PERMISSIVE AUXILIARY INFORMATION USER INTERFACE - A method and system are provided. The method and system are for providing a permissive auxiliary information user interface. The method includes receiving a user selection of one or more types of media asset auxiliary information that a user is interested in viewing during a trick mode operation invoked while playing back a media asset. The method further includes storing the user selection in a memory device. The method also includes providing, to the user on a display screen, media asset auxiliary information of the types indicated by the user selection, when the trick mode operation is invoked while playing back the media asset. | 12-18-2014 |
| 20150020103 | INTERACTIVE PROGRAM GUIDE WITH GRAPHIC PROGRAM LISTINGS - Electronic program guides in which program listings may be graphically presented and in which sponsors and celebrities of those programs may be identified are provided. The electronic programs guides may be passive television program guides, interactive television program guides, and/or on-line television program guides. Television show text information, logos and/or trademarks, celebrity images, affiliation indicators, and advertisements may be present in the program listings to enhance the electronic program guides. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150026728 | INTERACTIVE VIDEO VIEWING - A method and apparatus for providing an interactive video viewing experience for a user. The user has an internet enabled device and launches an interactive watching application (IWA) on his device. Using the IWA, he brings up a list of available video content and selects a video for viewing. As the user is viewing the video, an overlay display appears on the lower portion of the screen and overlays a portion of the still running video. The overlay displays “Touch for information regarding this program.” When the user touches the display, the video pauses and a web page containing information regarding or relating to the program or its subject matter is displayed. Utilizing various similar overlays, an interactive video viewing experience is provided to the user. The experience can include various overlays and associated experiences, such as obtaining information regarding new characters or consumer products as they appear. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150067734 | INFORMATION DISPLAY APPARATUS, INFORMATION DISPLAY METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - Provided is an information display apparatus including an information acquisition section configured to acquire foreground information displayed on a foreground, a foreground screen generation section configured to generate a foreground screen based on the foreground information, a character string acquisition section configured to acquire character strings of one or more lines based on the foreground information, a background image generation section configured to generate a background image in which character strings acquired by the character string acquisition section are drawn, and an image combination section configured to superimpose the foreground screen on the background image, and generate a display screen. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150106849 | System and Method for Automatic Video Program Channel Generation - System and method for delivering video programs from a cloud to an electronic terminal is disclosed. Channels may be generated based upon personal data of a user. Channels may also be generated by the user's inputs through a user input device of the terminal. The user may select to access video programs in the cloud either through generated channels or through a search engine. Advertising messages can also be delivered based upon disclosed system. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150113566 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTERACTION VIA TELEVISION SYSTEM - A method of providing user interaction with third parties through an electronic programme guide for a television receiver is described. Either the television receiver or computing equipment local to the television receiver and in communication with it comprises a system for assembling an electronic programme guide. The system receives scheduling information for populating the electronic programme guide, and also receives offer information associated with the scheduling information. The system then displays as an electronic programme guide the scheduling information together with its associated offer information. A user selection of offer information is received, and a transaction for the offer information is established. Apparatus and software for achieving this result are also described. | 04-23-2015 |
| 20150135221 | Customizable Media Channels - A computer-implemented method includes receiving an identification of a media program from a broadcast channel on an electronic program guide for inclusion in a personalized channel, adding the identified program to a personalized channel at a first time, and adding one or more additional programs to the personalized channel at times other than the first time. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150296266 | Methods and Apparatus for Indexing and/or Advertising in a User Selected Downloaded Digital Video Recording - A method and apparatus of indexing a previously digitally recorded program of an audio and video program, including downloading at least two sections of the digital recording of the audio and video program, receiving an index of the digital audio and video program to be associated with the digital recording of the audio and video program so as to navigate the digital recording of the audio and video program, associating the index to the digital audio and video recording enabling a user of the digitally recorded audio and video program to navigate the digital recording of the audio and video program according to the index, and enabling the user to navigate the indexed associated digital recording of the audio/video program using the index applied to the digital recording of the audio and video program such that the program is interactively and continuously indexed on the multimedia device. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150312639 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PREVENTING USERS FROM TERMINATING SERVICES - Methods and systems are described herein for a media guidance application that generates for display content associated with preventing a user from terminating. For example, in response to determining that a user, currently subscribed to a first service, has subscribed to a second service, the media guidance application may compare the content accessible from each service. In response to determining that the services offer similar content, the media guidance application may generate for display discounts or other promotions for the first service. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150319493 | Facilitating Commerce Related to Streamed Content Including Video - Consumers increasingly watch television, film, music videos and other video content and access textual material via the Internet, dedicated streaming services and platforms, and other on-demand-type services, thereby reducing or eliminating their exposure to commercials or other conventional advertisement. Aspects of the present disclosure provide mechanisms to introduce relevant, timely, contextual advertising and conduits for commerce transactions within on-demand-type content delivery systems. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20160021428 | CUSTOMIZABLE FLIP AND BROWSE OVERLAYS IN AN INTERACTIVE TELEVISION SYSTEM - Systems and methods are provided for customizing the display of interactive television overlays. A condition related to the display of an overlay on top of video for a television channel may be defined for each of a plurality of television channels. A default set of information types for an interactive television overlay (e.g., a FLIP overlay, a BROWSE overlay, etc.) may be defined for the plurality of television channels. When the overlay is displayed on top of video for a given television channel of the plurality of television channels, the overlay may include information of the default set of information types. One or more television channels of the plurality of television channels may be identified as channels for which the default set of information types does not apply (e.g., channels for which the overlay is not displayed or for which a custom set of information types is defined). | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160037222 | RECORDING OPTION FOR ADVERTISED PROGRAMS - Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a media processor displaying an advertisement regarding a future media presentation and determining an identifier and a communication capability of a mobile device associated with a subscriber associated with a remote second media processor. The media processor establishes communication with the mobile device in accordance with the communication capability, receives a first signal from the mobile device indicating that recording of an advertised future media presentation is desired, and displays a first menu in response to the first signal, where the first menu comprises an identifier of the future media presentation and identifiers of additional future media presentations advertised previously. The media processor also receives a second signal from the mobile device indicating selection from the first menu of a future presentation to be recorded, and transmits an instruction via the network to record the selected presentation. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160134937 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING PROGRAM CHANNEL STATUS INFORMATION AND/OR FOR CONTROLLING CHANNEL SWITCHING - Methods and apparatus for detecting whether a commercial is ongoing on a program channel and indicating commercial status of a program channel in a program guide are described. Also described are channel surfing methods and apparatus where a user is allowed to automatically skip channels with ongoing commercials and is provided with an indicator of the commercial status on one or more previous program channels while viewing content of program channel to which the user switched. | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160205440 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, TELEVISION RECEIVER, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM | 07-14-2016 |
