Sony Corporation

Sony Electronics Inc

Himgan Wibisono

Philip McKay

Yuko Nishikawa

Michael A Bergeron

Ippei Tambata

Michael Hoch

Ravi Gauba

Sidney Wang

Jeff J Liu

Andrew M Prohel

Rodger Lea

Michael S Harwayne

Elizabeth Coppinger

Dayan Golden

Brant L Candelore

Andy Proehl

Ron Diaz

Phillip c/o Sony Electronics Inc Mckay

Ravi c/o Sony Electronics Inc Gauba

Ippei c/o Sony Electronics Inc Tambata

Elizabeth c/o Sony Electronics Inc Coppinger

Sidney c/o Sony Electronics Inc Wang

Michael S c/o Sony Electronics Inc Harwayne

Andrew M c/o Sony Electronics Inc Prohel

Methods and apparatus for navigating video content. Digital markers may be placed at desired locations within recorded or cached video content. In one embodiment, these markers (or bookmarks) may be used to instantly jump to a particular scene or location within a video presentation. Such markers may be manually or automatically placed during live caching of video content or playback of previously recorded content. In another embodiment, selectable thumbnailed images that are representative of the video content at previously bookmarked locations may be presented to a user. Such selectable thumbnailed images may be integrated with a DVR status bar and, when selected, may be used to begin viewing stored video content from the bookmark corresponding to which ever thumbnail is chosen.

Method and apparatus for navigating video content

While reviewing potential programs when using an interactive programming guide, a viewer can select to place information regarding specific programs in a list (in one embodiment, such entries are made on an automated basis). The viewer can then recall that list to make a final selection of a present program to view (or record). In some embodiments, this list can be automatically cleared in response to a predetermined trigger event.

Interactive program guide with preferred items list apparatus and method

A relationship initiation between devices in a network is described. According to one embodiment, persona information is exchanged between devices in a network. Based upon the persona information, a user of a device may initiate a relationship with another device.

Initializing relationships between devices in a network

A digital content file having user history information is received at a first device. The user history information includes an alias name of a previous user of the digital content file. A user may review the user history information of the digital content file for information of the previous user of the digital content.

Managing and sharing identities on a network

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

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Himgan Wibisono