Research Investment Network, Inc.

Eremote, Inc.

David E Allport

A method of displaying Electronic Program Guide (EPG) data on a remote control in substantially a grid format, without using 'channel' information as an axis. Instead of being presented by channel and time, the data is presented only by time. Thus, program information from multiple channels may be displayed in a single row. Various truncation algorithms allow program descriptions to be shortened, enabling placement of the descriptions into gaps or empty cells in an available row, whereas without the truncation the program description would not have fit into the gaps. For example, when there is a program X in the grid on a first line with at least one gap, and another program Y in the grid on a second line, where Y spans a time slot corresponding to at least one of the gaps on program X's line, either X's title or Y's title, or both, can be truncated, and Y's title can be moved to X's line. Another opportunity occurs when there is a program X that runs for an extended period of the day, representing 'ongoing' content, such that the exact start and end time of the program adds little value to an EPG display. Its listing in the EPG grid may be truncated at start and/or end as needed, to allow its placement in any available empty cell or cells. Another aspect of the invention involves using the techniques described above to display EPG data for multiple categories on the same display.

Method of data display for electronic program guides (EPGs) on a remote control

An embodiment of the invention is a technique to navigate a user interface for program selection. Program information of a plurality of program cells is displayed in a visible window. The plurality of program cells is in an electronic program guide (EPG) grid. A visual indicator is moved in the visible window from a current position in a current row to a next position in response to a user command. The next position corresponds to a program cell is the plurality of program cells. The next position is in one of the current and a next row. The visual indicator is moved in response to a user command. The command is one of a move right and a move left command.

Grid-based system and method for interacting with electronic program guide grid

Methods are described whereby multiple users can swap a controller of consumer devices between themselves frequently, whilst each retains the ability to reinstate their own customized controller interface through a quick and simple yet secure log-on procedure. Stored data accessible to the controller is used to automatically upon log-on return a user to a system state associated with that user, which is typically the system state of the controller that existed the last time the user logged on thereto. The log-on procedure may include fingerprint and/or voice recognition. Additionally, time-out algorithms wherein the controller automatically shuts down and/or logs-off the current user as a security measure to prevent unauthorized users from gaining access thereto, may take into account factors other than merely the amount of time that has passed during which there has been no activity.

Method of controlling multi-user access to the functionality of consumer devices

A remote control uses IR (infrared) commands to control various consumer appliances made by various manufactures. The remote control is low-cost, consumer-friendly, programmable, has its own graphical display so it does not interfere with a TV or other viewing screen, and is capable of interacting with the internet or other data source to provide a rich set of functionality.

Portable internet-enabled controller and information browser for consumer devices

In response to a display activation motion performed upon one button of a plurality of buttons, a description of a function associated with each button is displayed. In response to an execution activation motion performed upon any one button of the plurality of buttons, the function associated with that one button is executed.

Method of using physical buttons in association with a display to access and execute functions available through associated hardware and software

Systems and methods of viewing multiple data streams are disclosed. A base station receives a first data stream and a second data stream. The first data stream is transmitted to a first device. The first device is capable of displaying motion video. The first data stream is displayed on the first device. The second data stream is transmitted to a second device. The second device Is capable of displaying motion video. The second data stream is displayed on the second device.

System for viewing multiple data streams simultaneously

A method of displaying Electronic Program Guide (EPG) data in substantially a grid format, without using &ldquo;channel&rdquo; information as an axis. Instead of being presented by channel and time, the data is presented only by time. Thus, program information from multiple channels may be displayed in a single row. Various truncation algorithms allow program descriptions to be shortened, enabling placement of the descriptions into gaps or empty cells in an available row, whereas without the truncation the program description would not have fit into the gaps. For example, when there is a program X in the grid on a first line with at least one gap, and another program Y in the grid on a second line, where Y spans a time slot corresponding to at least one of the gaps on program X's line, either X's title or Y's title, or both, can be truncated, and Y's title can be moved to X's line. Another opportunity occurs when there is a program X that runs for an extended period of the day, representing &ldquo;ongoing&rdquo; content, such that the exact start and end time of the program adds little value to an EPG display. Its listing in the EPG grid may be truncated at start and/or end as needed, to allow its placement in any available empty cell or cells. Another aspect of the invention involves using the techniques described above to display EPG data for multiple categories on the same display.

Method of data display for electronic program guides (EPGs)

Methods are described whereby multiple users can swap a controller of consumer devices between themselves frequently, while each retains the ability to reinstate their own customized controller interface through a quick and simple yet secure log-on procedure. Stored data accessible to the controller is used to automatically upon log-on return a user to a system state associated with that user, which is typically the system state of the controller that existed the last time the user logged on thereto. The log-on procedure may include fingerprint and/or voice recognition. Additionally, time-out algorithms wherein the controller automatically shuts down and/or logs-off the current user as a security measure to prevent unauthorized users from gaining access thereto, may take into account factors other than merely the amount of time that has passed during which there has been no activity.

Methods of using a controller for controlling multi-user access to the functionality of consumer devices

Portable internet-enabled controller and information browser for

Systems and methods are disclosed for using two or more cooperating but physically independent displays for enhanced viewing of data streams, where the viewing on one display does not interfere with the viewing on the other displays. The type of data streams may be complex streams such as multiple television (TV) broadcast signals or other video signals, internet data, or other local data such as information related to the state of a consumer's home appliances. The signals may include data embedded in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) for analog signals, or in dedicated slots in a digital signal according to protocols such as MPEG. The system includes a hand-held and portable remote control with a motion picture display, and hardware and/or software enabling interaction between a primary display (such as a TV) and the hand-held display. The hardware may include an integrated TV tuner, or a physically separate base station having a TV tuner, in which case the base station and the remote control would communicate via radio frequency (RF).

Growing community of inventors

Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

David E Allport