Rovi Guides, Inc.

Adeia Guides Inc.

Rovl Guides, Inc.

Rovi Product Corporation

David Gerald Wittke

Corey Tulis

Mikhail Aksenfeld

Michael K McCarty

Glen E Roe

Vazrik Israelian

Michael Mccarty

Methods and systems for generating segmented media asset identifiers are described herein. The method includes retrieving a first media guidance data segment of a plurality of media guidance data segments. Each segment of the plurality of media guidance data segments includes a plurality of media asset identifiers and is navigationally linked to at least one other media guidance data segment. The method further involves generating for display the media asset identifiers of the first media guidance data segment. While generating for display the media asset identifiers of the first media guidance data segment, a first user input corresponding to navigating to the media asset identifiers of a linked media guidance data segment is received. In response to receiving the first user input, the linked media guidance data segment is retrieved, and the media asset identifiers of the linked media guidance data segment are generated for display.

Systems and methods for linking segments of media guidance data for efficient operation of memory constrained devices

Systems and methods for automatically determining when a single party is playing or requesting conflicting content on two different devices, and resolving the conflict accordingly. Systems automatically identify when a single user is playing back a content stream on one device, then requests another content stream on another device. If the two content streams conflict, the conflict is automatically resolved in a number of ways, including by automatically pausing or redirecting one of the content streams. Conflict identification may also be carried out with the assistance of an added state flag that indicates a device or stream that has audio priority in a conflict. Thus, for example, when one user requests two conflicting content streams, and only one stream is associated with the conditional audio enabled flag, audio of the flagged stream may be played, while the other stream is muted.

Method and apparatus for identifying a single user requesting conflicting content and resolving said conflict

Systems and methods are disclosed for performing actions on network-connected objects in response to reminders on devices. An input from a first user device is received wherein keywords of the input correspond to an action identifier corresponding to an action. The system determines a plurality of network-connected devices capable of performing the action. A comparison is executed for each of the plurality of network-connected devices which identifies a device identifier from the words of the input determining a target device for performing the action. The system determines a plurality of criteria identifiers for performing the action on the target device. A comparison is executed for each of the criteria identifiers which identifies an action criterion from the words of the input. A command is transmitted, from the user device, for the action to be executed on the target device according to the action criterion.

Systems and methods for performing actions on network-connected objects in response to reminders on devices based on an action criterion

Systems and methods are presented for reducing network traffic when retrieving media guidance data. For example, a media guidance application receives a first user selection to display a group of media asset identifiers (e.g., video-on-demand listings) and retrieves detailed information from a remote server relating to the media asset identifiers to display to a user. The media guidance application then may receive a user selection to display a second group of media asset identifiers (e.g., purchased media assets). If any of the media asset identifiers are common to both groups, then the media guidance application already obtained the detailed information and the detailed information does not need to be retransmitted in order to be displayed. Thus, the media guidance application only retrieves detailed information for media asset identifiers unique to the second group of media asset identifiers (e.g., they are only on the purchased media asset list).

Systems and methods for retrieving segmented media guidance data

Systems and methods are described for storing programs. For example, a media guidance application (e.g., executed on a server) may determine that a user has been watching a program (e.g., a movie) for longer than a particular time threshold (e.g., 20 minutes for a movie), and that the user has requested to access a different program (e.g., an episode of a series broadcast on another channel). In response to determining that the user has been watching the program (e.g., the movie) for longer than the particular time threshold (e.g., 20 minutes for the movie), and that the user has requested to access the different program (e.g., the episode of a series broadcast on another channel), the media guidance application may perform an action to store the initial program (e.g., the movie) before executing the request to access the different program.

Systems and methods for storing programs

The systems and methods are described herein for playback of content based on progress point information. The systems and methods detect nearby media devices to transmit or request progress point information. Based on the communicated progress point information, the system may generate an option to play back content at a point within the content up to which content was last consumed. When content providers offer different versions of one content item and the user does not select to play back content from the content provider associated with the progress point information, the system determines a proper playback point in other content providers.

Systems and methods for reconciling playback using progress point information

Methods and systems are presented for selecting a preferred source of ratings (e.g., Metacritic.com) and integrating the ratings into the electronic program guide (EPG) such as displaying the ratings alongside program listings. By allowing the user to select the source of ratings, the media guidance application ensures that the ratings provided are meaningful to the user. The media guidance application retrieves the ratings from the source of ratings selected by the user and displays the retrieved ratings in the corresponding program listing so that the user may make an informed decision about his or her television viewing. The media guidance application may also incorporate the retrieved ratings into media guidance functions such as setting reminders, scheduling recordings, or recommending programs.

Methods and systems for receiving ratings from a third-party source of ratings

Systems and methods include presenting search results from multiple sources by grouping the results from some of the multiple sources, ranking each of the multiple sources and groups of sources, and not presenting duplicate resultsfrom lower ranked sources. In this way, the user is provided with search results that are distinct as opposed to presenting the same result multiple times when it is available from different sources.

Systems and methods for grouping search results from multiple sources

Systems and methods are provided for automatically cueing content for playback on a second device after it is paused or stopped on a first device. A content direction device is in electronic communication with user devices and content providers. This content direction device directs streamed content from the content providers to the various user devices. When a user pauses or stops playback at a first device, the content direction device stops the stream. Later, when the user activates a second device, the content direction device detects the second device and directs the content provider to resume the stream, whereupon it is transmitted to the second device. In this manner, the user can pause or stop playback on one device, later activate another device, and automatically receive a cued stream of the previously paused/stopped content. No user input is required to open an application or window, or to re-select content.

Growing community of inventors

Simi Valley, CA, United States of America

David Gerald Wittke