Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080234051 | Systems and methods for interactive wagering using multiple types of user interfaces - The present invention is systems and methods for interactive wagering using multiple types of user interfaces. Preferred embodiments of these systems and methods incorporate a wagering data hub which controls the flow of data relating to wagers, wagering events, and wagering account and facilitates the use of a variety of user interfaces such as graphical user interfaces and interactive voice response interfaces. For example, a user of the present invention may use a television set-top box, a computer, a telephone, and/or any other suitable device. To communicate with the wagering data hub, television set-top boxes preferably use a two-way cable system, computers preferably use a computer network, and telephones preferably use a telephone network, although each may use any suitable mechanism or combination of mechanisms to communicate with wagering data hub. | 09-25-2008 |
20080244653 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRESENTING AN INTERACTIVE USER INTERFACE - A system interactively controlled by a TV viewer remote control transmitter displays portions of a scroll program guide on the viewer's display screen. A tuner receives TV radio frequency or optical transmission signals in a plurality of cable channels and passes a viewer usable signal to a signal combiner. A computer receives control signals from the TV viewer remote control transmitter. It controls the tuner to pass the viewer usable signal in response to one of the control signals. Program information, such as TV program schedule information, may be displayed, and a user may select at least some of the displayed program information to be presented with additional program information related to the selected program information. | 10-02-2008 |
20100005490 | PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH BROWSING DISPLAY - An inter pap active television program guide system is provided in which a user may direct the program guide to display a browsing display screen. The browsing display screen includes a list of current programs including a movable highlight region, a video window containing a television program to which the system is currently tuned, and a detailed description of the highlighted program listing. The user may position the highlight region using remote control cursor keys. The user may then synchronize the content of the video window with the highlighted program listing by pressing a select key or a channel up or down key. If the user changes channels repeatedly using the channel up and down keys, the contents of the video window and the highlighted program listings remain in synchronization. | 01-07-2010 |
20100115546 | INTERACTIVE SPECIAL EVENTS VIDEO SIGNAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM - A system interactively controlled by a TV viewer remote control transmitter displays current or future programming information superimposed over the normal programming displayed on any channel accessible to the viewer's display screen. Identification signal data are accessed and generated by the computer for durations defined in the identification signal data either automatically or in response to the TV viewer remote. Information signal data are accessed and generated by the computer in response to the TV viewer remote. A signal combiner superimposes the identification signal or the information signal over the viewer usable signal of any selected channel from the tuner. The identification signal may include data defining an icon or textual matter alerting a viewer to the availability of information data. The information signal may include program descriptive data, schedule data, pricing data and/or payment authorization and recording prompt data and the like sequenced for interactive control of the computer by the viewer. The identification signal may be specially dedicated to a normal programming information channel so that the viewer can interact with respect to specific programs identified without changing from the programming information channel. Thus, the viewer is able to receive an automatic alert to availability of current and future programming and to elect to interactively exercise a variety of options with respect to such current and future programming without interruption of presently viewed programming. | 05-06-2010 |
20100188420 | COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIA PROVIDING A PROGRAM GUIDE VIEWED WITH A PERCEIVED TRANSPARENCY OVER A TELEVISION PROGRAM - A system interactively controlled by a TV viewer remote superimposes portions of a scroll program guide over a basic programming signal for display on the viewer's display screen. A tuner has an input for receiving TV signals in a plurality of cable channels and an output for passing a signal of any selected one of said channels. A computer has an input for receiving any of a plurality of control signals from the TV viewer remote and an output for controlling the tuner to pass the signal of the selected one of the channels in response to one of the plurality of control signals from the TV viewer remote. The computer receives and stores a scroll input picture image signal containing local program guide data and generates a scroll output picture image signal consisting of at least a portion of the scroll input picture image signal. A combiner superimposes output picture image signal over the passed signal to provide a display signal for input to the viewer's display screen. The computer is responsive to control signals from the remote to cause the combiner to change the weight of the output picture image signal in relation to the passed signal. | 07-29-2010 |
20100192172 | PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH MONITORING OF ADVERTISEMENT USAGE AND USER ACTIVITIES - 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. | 07-29-2010 |
20110162000 | INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH TITLE AND DESCRIPTION BLOCKING - A system is provided in which an interactive television program guide is implemented on user television equipment. Potentially objectionable material such as the titles and descriptions of adult programs may be blocked. When adult program listing blocking is invoked, the program guide replaces adult program listings with unobjectionable material such as a blank region, a generic unobjectionable program listing, or an unobjectionable title based on the channel being blocked. The user may invoke blocking of titles, descriptions, or both titles or descriptions. Blocking may be based on the rating of the program listings. Access may be provided to blocked program listings by entering a parental control code. The user may temporarily disable adult program listing blocking. The user may also set parental control locks for any type of potentially objectionable programming and may temporarily disable such locks. | 06-30-2011 |
20110167446 | 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. | 07-07-2011 |
20110258663 | INTERACTIVE PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES - Interactive program guide systems and related processes are provided which can automatically tune a television, or program a VCR, based on program selections made from program schedule information displayed on a television or other suitable video monitor. The interactive program guide is preferably implemented using a microprocessor-controlled set-top box that is coupled to the viewer's television set. The set-top box receives program schedule information and software from a headend telecasting center. Preferably, program schedule information for the current day and at least six subsequent days is stored in a memory within the set-top box. The interactive program guide provides a display mode for allowing the viewer to apply a restrictive search selection criterion and a nonrestrictive sort attribute to the program schedule information. | 10-20-2011 |
20120005707 | COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIA PROVIDING A PROGRAM GUIDE VIEWED WITH A PERCEIVED TRANSPARENCY OVER A TELEVISION PROGRAM - A system interactively controlled by a TV viewer remote superimposes portions of a scroll program guide over a basic programming signal for display on the viewer's display screen. A tuner has an input for receiving TV signals in a plurality of cable channels and an output for passing a signal of any selected one of said channels. A computer has an input for receiving any of a plurality of control signals from the TV viewer remote and an output for controlling the tuner to pass the signal of the selected one of the channels in response to one of the plurality of control signals from the TV viewer remote. The computer receives and stores a scroll input picture image signal containing local program guide data and generates a scroll output picture image signal consisting of at least a portion of the scroll input picture image signal. A combiner superimposes output picture image signal over the passed signal to provide a display signal for input to the viewer's display screen. The computer is responsive to control signals from the remote to cause the combiner to change the weight of the output picture image signal in relation to the passed signal. | 01-05-2012 |
20120148211 | INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE WITH SIMULTANEOUS WATCH AND RECORD CAPABILITIES - 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. | 06-14-2012 |
20120148212 | INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE WITH SIMULTANEOUS WATCH AND RECORD CAPABILITIES - 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. | 06-14-2012 |
20120151526 | INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE WITH SIMULTANEOUS WATCH AND RECORD CAPABILITIES - 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. | 06-14-2012 |
20130097640 | INTERACTIVE PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES - Interactive program guide systems and related processes are provided which can automatically tune a television, or program a VCR, based on program selections made from program schedule information displayed on a television or other suitable video monitor. The interactive program guide is preferably implemented using a microprocessor-controlled set-top box that is coupled to the viewer's television set. The set-top box receives program schedule information and software from a headend telecasting center. Preferably, program schedule information for the current day and at least six subsequent days is stored in a memory within the set-top box. The interactive program guide provides a display mode for allowing the viewer to apply a restrictive search selection criterion and a nonrestrictive sort attribute to the program schedule information. | 04-18-2013 |
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 |
20140068669 | PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH FLIP AND BROWSE ADVERTISEMENTS - An interactive television program guide is provided in which advertisements may be displayed in program listings display regions on program guide screens. The program listings display regions may be browse displays or flip displays. The program guide screens contain video for the current channel to which the user is tuned. The program listings display regions containing the advertisements may be overlaid on top of the current channel. Alternatively, the video for the current channel may be provided in a reduced-size video window. The advertisements may contain video. The advertisements may be used to promote television programs and conventional goods and services. Advertisements may be selectable. 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. | 03-06-2014 |
20150264424 | 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. | 09-17-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120227466 | METHODS FOR DETECTION OF ACETYLENE ON BIMETALLIC SENSORS - Methods for detection of acetylene, acetylene concentration and changes in acetylene concentration in a mixture of gases are provided. The gas mixture includes acetylene and hydrogen and may be a hydrogen gas stream or a gas stream also including ethylene. The methods of the invention can also detect acetylene in a gas mixture dissolved in a liquid. The methods of the invention rely on the use of metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) sensors in which the metal layer is a continuous layer of a binary alloy selected to facilitate acetylene detection such as alloys of palladium with a second metal such as silver, gold or copper. | 09-13-2012 |
20130144090 | RENEWABLE JET FUEL DERIVED FROM BIOMASS - A single pass direct conversion of biomass derived oxygenates to longer chain hydrocarbons is described. The longer chain hydrocarbons include higher naphthene content which is quite useful in the distillate range fuels or more particularly, the jet and diesel range fuels. Naphthenes help the biomass derived hydrocarbons meet product specifications for jet and diesel while really helping cold flow properties. | 06-06-2013 |
20130144091 | RENEWABLE DIESEL FUEL DERIVED FROM BIOMASS - A single pass direct conversion of biomass derived oxygenates to longer chain hydrocarbons is described. The longer chain hydrocarbons include higher naphthene content which is quite useful in the distillate range fuels or more particularly, the jet and diesel range fuels. Naphthenes help the biomass derived hydrocarbons meet product specifications for jet and diesel while really helping cold flow properties. | 06-06-2013 |
20130144094 | RENEWABLE GAS OIL DERIVED FROM BIOMASS - A single pass direct conversion of biomass derived oxygenates to longer chain hydrocarbons is described. The longer chain hydrocarbons include higher naphthene content which is quite useful in the distillate range fuels or more particularly, the jet and diesel range fuels. Naphthenes help the biomass derived hydrocarbons meet product specifications for jet and diesel while really helping cold flow properties. | 06-06-2013 |
20130144098 | DIRECT CONVERSION OF BIOMASS OXYGENATES TO HYDROCARBONS - A single pass direct conversion of biomass derived oxygenates to longer chain hydrocarbons is described. The longer chain hydrocarbons include higher naphthene content which is quite useful in the distillate range fuels or more particularly, the jet and diesel range fuels. Naphthenes help the biomass derived hydrocarbons meet product specifications for jet and diesel while really helping cold flow properties. | 06-06-2013 |
20140066291 | MATERIALS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING SELECTIVITY IN HETEROGENEOUS CATALYSTS AND PRODUCTS THEREOF - Methods for improving selectivity in heterogeneous catalysts, and products thereof, are disclosed. In exemplary embodiments, multifunctional oxygenates may be selectively converted to value-added products through reaction at a single functional position. Addition of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM), or SAM-like structures to a supported metal catalyst is also disclosed. | 03-06-2014 |