Ods Properties, Inc.

Ods Technologies, L.p.

United Video Properties, Inc.

Rovi Guides, Inc.

Jon C Zaring

Richard Earl McNutt

Connie T Marshall

Brent E Perry

Kevin Dwight Satterfield

Everett L Devore

Ronald E Dewell

Andrew T Lucas

Mark A Brenner

Mitch L Neilsen

Kannan Srikanth

W Scott Reneau

Thomas R Lemmons

Joni L Hamilton

Masood Garahi

Thomas Lazzlo Aronson

Joseph C Jacobson

Douglas V Ramsey

Eric Frank Stimmel

Erik Thomas Russell Olsen

James Howard Darr

Rodney John Gaidies

Alice June Courtney

Ben Springborn

Jennifer A Vogh

An interactive television program guide is provided. Program guide display elements are arranged and styled using markup language documents. These markup language documents may also indicate and select program guide functions. The program guide interprets the markup language documents and generates the display screens and program guide functionality without user intervention. The program guide may also be updated by supplying new markup language documents that modify display screens and program guide functionality. The markup language documents may be supplied by a main facility or a television distribution facility.

Methods and systems for updating functionality of a set-top box using markup language

The present invention is systems and methods for interactive wagering using multiple types of user interfaces. Preferred embodiments of these systems and methods incorporate a wagering data hub which controls the flow of data relating to wagers, wagering events, and wagering account and facilitates the use of a variety of user interfaces such as graphical user interfaces and interactive voice response interfaces. For example, a user of the present invention may use a television set-top box, a computer, a telephone, and/or any other suitable device. To communicate with the wagering data hub, television set-top boxes preferably use a two-way cable system, computers preferably use a computer network, and telephones preferably use a telephone network, although each may use any suitable mechanism or combination of mechanisms to communicate with wagering data hub.

Systems and methods for interactive wagering using multiple types of user interfaces

Electronic program guide using markup language

The present invention is systems and methods for interactive wagering. Preferred embodiments of these systems and methods incorporate a wagering data hub which controls the flow of data relating to wagers, wagering events, and wagering account and facilitates the use of a variety of user interfaces such as graphical user interfaces and interactive voice response interfaces. For example, a user of the present invention may use a television set-top box, a computer, a telephone, and/or any other suitable device. To communicate with the wagering data hub, television set-top boxes preferably use a two-way cable system, computers preferably use a computer network, and telephones preferably use a telephone network, although each may use any suitable mechanism or combination of mechanisms to communicate with wagering data hub.

Systems and methods for interactive wagering

An interactive wagering application is provided that allows users to establish wagering criteria. When the wagering application detects that a wagering opportunity is available that satisfies the user's selected criteria, the wagering application may take an appropriate action. The wagering application may, for example, automatically place a wager or may notify a user that the criteria have been satisfied. Wagering criteria may be based on a particular track, horse, jockey, trainer, racetrack surface, race distance, statistics, jockey silks, odds or changes in odds, etc.

Interactive wagering system with criteria wagering

Systems and processes for interactive wagering are provided. A cellular telephone or handheld computing device may be used to access an interactive wagering service. Television equipment and computer equipment may be used to access the service. A user may view information on wagers such as current odds and other racing data for horses or other runners on the cellular telephone or other device. The user may create a corresponding off-track wager with the cellular telephone or other device that may be sent to a transaction processing and subscription management system. The transaction processing and subscription management system may handle the wager transaction and adjust the user's account balance.

Cellular telephone interactive wagering system

An interactive wagering application is provided that displays information areas on various wager creation screens. The information areas may be configurable. Information such as promotions, weather information, jockey information, trainer information, odds, or any other suitable information may be displayed in the information areas. The interactive wagering application may create a wagering ticket that reflects the amount of a user's wager and the total amount of the user's wager when multiple runners are taken into account. The interactive wagering application may record the user's position within the application and the user's recent wagering selections, so that this information may be used to assist the user in restarting the application after exiting or when creating additional wagers.

Interactive wagering system

Systems and processes for interactive off-track wagering are provided. A user reviews racing information and places bets using an off-track terminal. The user interactively selects a desired racetrack and race. Odds, pools, and payoff amounts may be viewed for a variety of complex wager types. To place a wager, the user selects a wager type, wager amount, and the desired runners. Account information can be reviewed. If desired, the user can transfer funds from a bank account to an account used for wagering. Racing videos can be viewed while the user reviews odds and places bets. Video clips of past races can be ordered. Related advertisements can be presented using text or video clips. Merchandise may be ordered interactively. Information regarding system usage may be gathered.

Interactive wagering systems and processes

Systems and processes for interactive off-track wagering are provided. A user reviews racing information and places bets using an off-track terminal. The user interactively selects a desired racetrack and race. Odds, pools, and payoff amounts may be viewed for a variety of complex wager types. To place a wager, the user selects a wager type, wager amount, and the desired runners. Account information can be reviewed. If desired, the user can transfer funds from a bank account to in account used for wagering. Racing videos can be viewed while the user reviews odds and places bets. Video clips of past races can be ordered. Related advertisements can be presented using text or video clips. Merchandise may be ordered interactively. Information regarding system usage may be gathered.

Growing community of inventors

Tulsa, OK, United States of America

Jon C Zaring