Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120319825 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND MEANS FOR RESTRICTING CONTROL OF A HOME ENTERTAINMENT DEVICE BY A MOBILE DEVICE - Methods and systems for restricting control of a home entertainment device by a mobile device are provided. In particular, in some embodiments, these methods and systems define a region for the mobile device. Then the methods and systems determine whether the mobile device is within a predetermined range of the region. In response to determining that the mobile device is within the predetermined range of the region, the methods and systems enable the mobile device to control a first function of the home entertainment equipment. In response to determining that the mobile device is outside of the predetermined range of the region, the methods and systems prevent the mobile device from controlling the first function of the home entertainment device and enable the mobile device to control a second function of the home entertainment device that is different from the first function. | 12-20-2012 |
20130007661 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING AND DISPLAYING USER PREFERENCE TAG CLOUDS - Systems and methods for generating and displaying user preferences in a tag cloud are provided in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. A user preference tag cloud may be of any shape and size and may be generated using a stencil selected by a user. A user preference tag cloud may thus present a user's media preferences in an attractive and compelling visual arrangement that, in some embodiments, also functions as an intuitive interface which allows users to indicate and/or modify their preferences. | 01-03-2013 |
20130165152 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PERFORMING ACTIONS BASED ON LOCATION-BASED RULES - Methods and systems for performing actions based on location-based rules are provided. In particular, these methods and systems may store an entertainment profile of a user, wherein the entertainment profile identifies entertainment media characteristics of the user. It may then be determined that the user entered a predetermined range of a location. In response to this, a location-based rule that corresponds to the location and that defines an action to be taken may be automatically identified. Based on the location-based rule, the location, and the entertainment profile of the user, the action may be performed. | 06-27-2013 |
20130167091 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NAVIGATING IN A HYPER-DIMENSIONAL MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATION - Systems and methods for navigating in a hyper-dimensional media guidance application are provided. A first group of content listings is displayed in a first grid corresponding to two grid dimensions (e.g., time versus content source). In response to a user selection of a navigational option, a second group of content listings is displayed in a second grid corresponding to a previous grid dimension and a different grid dimension (e.g., time versus parental rating or genre versus content source). Each grid of content listings may be displayed on a face of an illustrated three-dimensional object that may rotate from displaying one face to displaying another in response to a user navigational option selection. The number of grids displayable to a user is not limited by the physical number of faces on any actual three-dimensional object. | 06-27-2013 |
20130170818 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SYNCHRONIZING PLAYBACK AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS - Embodiments provide methods and systems for synchronizing simultaneous media asset viewing for users at different geographical viewing locations. In some embodiments, a first user device receives a request to synchronize viewing of a media asset with a second user device. Control circuitry may automatically determine that the media asset is available to the second user device after becoming available so the first user device. Based on the determining, the control circuitry may automatically schedule the media asset for recording on the first user device. In some embodiments, control circuitry synchronizes viewing of the media asset when the media access becomes available to the second user device. The second user device may access a video feed transmitted by a media source, while the first user device accesses a video feed of a recorded media asset. | 07-04-2013 |
20130173533 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SHARING PROFILE INFORMATION USING USER PREFERENCE TAG CLOUDS - Systems and methods for sharing user profile information using tag clouds are provided in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. A first tag cloud may be generated from attributes stored in a first user profile and a second tag cloud may be generated from attributes stored in a second user profile. A user may drag-and-drop attributes between the two tag clouds and, in response, the underlying user profiles may be updated. Tag clouds may thus present a user's media preferences in an attractive and compelling visual arrangement that, in some embodiments, also functions as an intuitive interface for copying preferences between user profiles. | 07-04-2013 |
20130173742 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LATENCY-BASED SYNCHRONIZED PLAYBACK AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS - Embodiments provide methods and systems for synchronizing simultaneous media asset viewing for users at different geographical viewing locations. In some embodiments, a first user device receives a request to synchronize viewing of a media asset with a second user device. If the first user device accepts the request for synchronized viewing, the first and second user devices receive the media asset from a common source. Control circuitry at the common source may determine the latencies to the first and second user devices. The transmission of the media asset to the first and second user devices is adjusted according to the latencies. | 07-04-2013 |
20130179698 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPTIONS RELATING TO POWER-ON OF A USER EQUIPMENT DEVICE - Systems and methods for setting up a power-on state of a user equipment device using a media guidance application are provided. A power-on state may specify media content related actions to be performed by the user equipment device when the user equipment device next powers on. In particular, in response to a user request to power off the user equipment device, the user may be presented with multiple power-on state options on a power-off screen. A user selection of a power-on state option may be received and a start-up routine of the user equipment device may be configured such that the user equipment device performs the media content related actions specified by the selected power-on state when it powers on. | 07-11-2013 |
20130257749 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NAVIGATING CONTENT ON A USER EQUIPMENT HAVING A MULTI-REGION TOUCH SENSITIVE DISPLAY - Systems and methods are provided for navigating media content information using a media guidance application implemented on a portable device with a touch-sensitive display. A touch-sensitive display screen with at least two portions is displayed. The first portion is dedicated to receive handwritten input. The second portion is dedicated to display an interactive media guide and receive navigation direction input or selection input. Upon receiving handwritten input on the first portion of the touch-sensitive display, the device displays a media content corresponding to the received handwritten input in the media guide of the second portion of the touch-sensitive device. | 10-03-2013 |
20130275519 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY RESPONDING TO A MESSAGE ABOUT UNVIEWED CONTENT - Embodiments provide methods and systems for automatically generating a response to a message related to unviewed content. In some embodiments, a user sends a message that relates to a particular media asset to another user. A server that receives the message from the sender identifies the media asset to which the message relates. The server also maintains or accesses a viewing history that identifies media assets that the recipient has viewed. The server cross-references the identity of the media asset with the viewing history to determine whether the recipient has viewed the media asset. If the recipient has not viewed the media asset, the server refrains from transmitting the message to the recipient, and the server automatically generates a response to the sender of the message indicating that the recipient has not seen the media asset. | 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 |
20140007170 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SYNCHRONIZING PLAYBACK AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS | 01-02-2014 |
20140089017 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPERATING AN ENTERTAINMENT CONTROL SYSTEM - Methods and systems are described herein for allocating and assigning seats within a venue, based on user profile information. A cluster of user profiles is selected based on a correlation of values of a common attribute of the user profiles. Seats within the venue are allocated to a first zone based on the correlation, and are assigned to users associated with the user profiles. | 03-27-2014 |
20140094151 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING AUDIO PLAYBACK ON PORTABLE DEVICES WITH VEHICLE EQUIPMENT - Systems and methods are provided for playing media assets in a vehicle. A signal indicating the existence of a voice call is detected in a vehicle. It is determined whether a portable device inside the vehicle is outputting audio to a first audio device. If a portable device is outputting audio to a first audio device, the audio level of the output audio component is compared with an audio level threshold to determine whether the output of the audio component to the first audio device interferes with audio output of the call. If the output audio component is determined to interfere with the audio output of the call, the audio component output through the first audio device is repressed. If the output audio component is determined to not interfere with the audio output of the call, the audio component is output through the first audio device without interruption. | 04-03-2014 |
20140096263 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENABLING AN AUTOMATIC LICENSE FOR MASHUPS - Systems and methods for managing digital rights settings are provided. In some aspects, the systems and methods described include receiving user input including an order for obtaining access rights to a media asset. Control circuitry determines whether the media asset is associated with a first package of media assets. The control circuitry cross-references a database of user order history to determine whether the user has obtained access rights for each media asset in the first package of media assets. If the user has obtained access rights for each media asset in the first package of media assets, the control circuitry generates digital rights settings for each media asset in the first package of media assets to enable the user to create a mashup. The mashup includes portions of at least one media asset in the first package. The control circuitry generates a display based on the digital rights settings. | 04-03-2014 |
20140201780 | 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 as 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. | 07-17-2014 |
20140342759 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PERFORMING ACTIONS BASED ON LOCATION-BASED RULES - Methods and systems for performing actions based on location-based rules are provided. In particular, these methods and systems may store an entertainment profile of a user, wherein the entertainment profile identifies entertainment media characteristics of the user. It may then be determined that the user entered a predetermined range of a location. In response to this, a location-based rule that corresponds to the location and that defines an action to be taken may be automatically identified. Based on the location-based rule, the location, and the entertainment profile of the user, the action may be performed. | 11-20-2014 |
20140350798 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PRODUCING THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS OF A MEDIA ASSET IN A VEHICLE - Methods and systems are disclosed for a guidance application capable of coordinating the interior features of a vehicle (e.g., the heating/cooling system, automatic windows, automatic seats, automatic sunroof, seat heaters, etc.) to produce the current environmental conditions (e.g., sunshine, heat, wind, etc.) displayed in a media asset being accessed in the vehicle. | 11-27-2014 |
20150020216 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENABLING AN AUTOMATIC LICENSE FOR MASHUPS - Systems and methods for managing digital rights settings are provided. In some aspects, the systems and methods described include receiving user input including an order for obtaining access rights to a media asset. Control circuitry determines whether of media asset is associated with a first package of media assets. The control circuitry cross-references a database of user order history to determine whether the user has obtained access rights for each media asset in the first package of media assets. If the user has obtained access rights for each media asset in the first package of media assets, the control circuitry generates digital rights settings for each media asset in the first package of media assets to enable the user to create a mashup. The mashup includes portions of at least one media asset in the first package. The control circuitry generates a display based on the digital rights settings. | 01-15-2015 |
20150029087 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ADJUSTING POWER CONSUMPTION IN A USER DEVICE BASED ON BRAIN ACTIVITY - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for adjusting power consumption and/or sensitivity levels of a user device based on the current brain activity of a user. For example, a media guidance application implemented on a user device may monitor brain activity of a user. In response to determining particular brain activity (e.g., associated with the inactivity of the user), the media guidance application may initiate a stand-by mode in order to reduce power consumption. | 01-29-2015 |
20150033245 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MONITORING ATTENTIVENESS OF A USER BASED ON BRAIN ACTIVITY - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application configured to monitor attentiveness of a user based on the brain activity of the user. For example, a media guidance application may monitor brain activity associated with an attentiveness level of the user and in response to determining the attentiveness level of the user does not correspond to the threshold attentiveness level, perform an operation associated with a low attentiveness level of the user (e.g., performing a scan operation through various content providers). | 01-29-2015 |
20150033258 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATIONS CONFIGURED TO MONITOR BRAIN ACTIVITY - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that may monitor the brain activity of a user and determine a first brain state of the user based on the brain activity, in which the first brain state corresponds to a first mood. The media guidance application may also select a second brain state that corresponds to a second mood of the user. In response to determining the first brain state does not correspond to the second brain state, the media guidance application may generate a display of a media asset to the user that is associated with inducing the second brain state. | 01-29-2015 |
20150033259 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PERFORMING OPERATIONS IN RESPONSE TO CHANGES IN BRAIN ACTIVITY OF A USER - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for performing operations in response to changes in brain activity of a user. For example, a media guidance application implemented on a user device may monitor the brain activity of the user (e.g., in order to perform one of more operations based on the brain activity of the user). In response to detecting particular brain activity (e.g., indicating that a user has fallen asleep), the media guidance application may instruct the user device to cease monitoring the brain activity of the user. | 01-29-2015 |
20150033262 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR GENERATING ICONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING BRAIN STATE FEEDBACK - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application configured to generate for display an icon that provides feedback to a user related to the current brain activity of the user. For example, a media guidance application may monitor the brain activity of the user in order to determine whether or not to perform a particular operation. The media guidance application may further generate a display of icons that inform the user of the current brain activity of the user and/or the progress of the user towards achieving a particular operation. | 01-29-2015 |
20150033266 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATIONS CONFIGURED TO MONITOR BRAIN ACTIVITY IN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF A BRAIN - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application configured to monitor brain activity in various regions of a brain of a user in order to navigate, recommend, provide access to, and perform operations related to media content. For example, in response to detecting that particular brain activity in a region of the brain does not correspond to a threshold range of brain activity for that region of the brain, a media guidance application may perform a media guidance operation related to that region of the brain. | 01-29-2015 |
20150039421 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR RECOMMENDING MEDIA ASSETS BASED ON SCENT - Methods and systems are disclosed for selecting media assets based on a scent detected at a location of a user device. For example, a media guidance application implemented on a user device may incorporate or have access to a scent detection component, which may determine one or more scents at the location of the user device. The media guidance application may then select a media asset that corresponds to the determined one or more scents. | 02-05-2015 |