Sony Corporation

Sdi Development Inc.

Sony Electronics Inc

Other

Andy Proehl

Kim Mingo

Yuko Nishikawa

Kimberly Ventura

Brant L Candelore

Hiroshi Yasutomi

Kazuto Mugura

Philip McKay

Michael A Bergeron

Jenny S Chow

Himgan Wibisono

Dayan Golden

Sean Christopher Endler

Ron Diaz

An integrated DSS/WebTV receiver is communicatively connected to an Internet service provider, a DSS service provider, and (optionally) a local broadcast station to provide a display of DSS programs, Internet web sites, and local broadcast channels in a seamless fashion. The DSS/WebTV receiver downloads graphic images, corresponding to DSS programs, from a DSS communication medium or the Internet into a local memory. The graphic images are periodically updated by the DSS service provider or Internet service provider. The DSS/WebTV receiver generates a graphical user interface (GUI), displayed on a television screen, for facilitating a user's navigation through the DSS, Internet, and local broadcast data. The GUI includes a selectable DSS program listing that displays DSS programs that are currently being broadcast or that will be broadcasted in the future. If a user selects a currently broadcasted program, the DSS/WebTV receiver displays the selected program on the television. If the user selects a program that is broadcasted in the future, the DSS/WebTV receiver displays a downloaded graphic image, corresponding to the selected program, on the television. The graphic image may be the selected program's name or logo, still shots from the selected program, short video clips related to the selected program, or advertisements related to the selected program.

Locally stored content previews: representative of programming content in an electronic programming guide through a graphic image accessed from the hard drive of a set top box

An integrated DSS/WebTV receiver is communicatively connected to an Internet service provider, a DSS service provider, and (optionally) a local broadcast station to provide a display of DSS programs, Internet web sites, and local broadcast channels in a seamless fashion. The DSS/WebTV receiver downloads graphic images, corresponding to DSS programs, from a DSS communication medium or the Internet into a local memory. The graphic images are periodically updated by the DSS service provider or Internet service provider. The DSS/WebTV receiver generates a graphical user interface (GUI), displayed on a television screen, for facilitating a user's navigation through the DSS, Internet, and local broadcast data. The GUI includes a selectable DSS program listing that displays DSS programs that are curl being broadcast or that will be broadcasted in the future. If a user selects a currently broadcasted program, the DSS/WebTV receiver displays the selected program on the television. If the user selects a program that is broadcasted in the future, the DSS/WebTV receiver displays a downloaded graphic image, corresponding to the selected program, on the television. The graphic image may be the selected program's name or logo, still shots from the selected program, short video clips related to the selected program, or advertisements related to the selected program.

In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses simultaneously display a first content stream and a second content stream within a spherical display; receive instructions to change a partition between a first area for displaying the first content stream and a second area for displaying the second content stream; and dynamically partition the first area and the second area based on the instructions, wherein the first area and the second area are within the spherical display.

Digital camera with a spherical display

A method and apparatus for tracking the viewing of stored video content. A video event is recorded, such as with a personal video recorder, and is subsequently displayed on a display screen having identified thereon at least one user who is to view the recorded video event. The user enters an option (e.g., 'OK to Erase') associated with the displayed recorded event. The entered option is displayed on the display screen so subsequent users will know the desired option of the prior user. A machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions for recording and displaying a video event, as well as instructions for receiving and displaying an option associated with the displayed recorded event.

Method and apparatus for managing video storage

Locally stored content previews. Representative of programming content in an electronic programming guide through a graphic image accessed from the hard drive of a set top box

A method and apparatus for providing a calendar-based on-screen planner in an electronic program guide for broadcast events are provided, wherein at least one electronic program guide is generated and displayed representing programming on a number of channels. A first on-screen planner is generated comprising at least one monthly calendar view. The first on-screen planner, which may be accessed from the electronic program guide, provides for a review of selected broadcast activity for a number of days of a selected month. The selected broadcast activity is selected from a group comprising broadcasts selected for automatic tuning, broadcasts selected for recording, and pay-per-view broadcasts selected for purchase. A second on-screen planner is generated comprising at least one daily calendar view. The second on-screen planner, which may be accessed from the first on-screen planner, provides for review and editing of the selected broadcast activity for at least one day of the selected month. The electronic program guide and the on-screen planners are displayed on the screen in response to a user selection.

Method and apparatus for providing a calendar-based planner in an electronic program guide for broadcast events

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Andy Proehl