Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Other

Matthew W Dunn

Joseph H Matthews, Iii

Daniel J Shoff

Edwin W Thorne, Iii

Seung-Yup Chai

An interactive entertainment network system has a video-on-demand (VOD) application which allows viewers to create their own customized lists of preferred video content programs, such as movies, games, TV shows, and so forth. Viewers are permitted to select criteria for grouping various video content programs into manageable sets. Lists of programs are provided in one or more scrollable lists, the scrolling rates of which are programmable. Once grouped, previews for the set of programs are displayed. The VOD application allows the viewers to browse the previews at their own rate, skipping forward to the next preview or backward to the previous preview. During this automated browsing, the VOD application enables the viewer to add any of the programs of interest to a customized list. The viewer can retrieve the customized list at any time. If the viewer orders a program from the customized list, the program remains available to the viewer for a rental period (which is adjustable). Upon expiration of the rental period, however, the program is no longer readily accessible until ordered again.

Interactive entertainment network system and method for customizing operation thereof according to viewer preferences

An interactive entertainment network system has a video-on-demand (VOD) application which enables viewers to select criteria for grouping various video content programs (e.g., movies, games, TV shows, etc.) into manageable sets for convenient review. Once grouped, the previews or &ldquo;trailers&rdquo; for the set of programs are displayed. The VOD application permits the viewer to browse the trailers at their own rate, skipping forward to the next trailer or backward to the previous trailer. If the viewer settles on a particular program, the VOD application also allows the user to rent the program immediately from the trailer being displayed on their television set, without returning to a menu or other order screen.

System for previewing video trailers

An adapter is provided to interface a full-size keyboard with a handheld computing device. The adapter couples to the serial cable of the keyboard to convert keyboard generated signals to code, such as ASCII code. The adapter has a wireless transmitter (e.g., IR or RF transmitter) to transmit the code via a wireless link to a compatible receiver in the handheld computing device. The adapter enables a user to employ a full-size keyboard to enter data into a handheld computing device having a miniaturized or limited keypad.

Adapter for wirelessly interfacing a full-size stand alone keyboard with

An interactive entertainment network system has a video-on-demand (VOD) application which enables viewers to select criteria for grouping various video content programs (e.g., movies, games, TV shows, etc.) into manageable sets for convenient review. Once grouped, the previews or 'trailers' for the set of programs are displayed. The VOD application permits the viewer to browse the trailers at their own rate, skipping forward to the next trailer or backward to the previous trailer. If the viewer settles on a particular program, the VOD application also allows the user to rent the program immediately from the trailer being displayed on their television set, without returning to a menu or other order screen.

Interactive entertainment network system and method for providing short

Interactive entertainment network system and method for customizing

An interactive entertainment network system supplies previews in an analog format while operating in a video-on-demand (VOD) mode. The previews are displayed instantaneously when a viewer switches to a designated VOD channel. The previews are played in a continuous loop to attract viewers that are switching through channels. The VOD channel therefore appears like traditional broadcast channels, as opposed to a still screen. In this manner, the viewer will be less inclined to skip past the VOD channel. If the viewer does nothing, the previews of the new releases cycle through, one after another. No digital resources are utilized to this point; rather, the analog video stream is continually transmitted in a 'broadcast' fashion. However, if the viewer actively requests information or a new set of previews while in the VOD application, the system ceases the analog presentation and transitions to a fully interactive digital system. Any requested programs or other information is supplied from the headend in a digital format. After a period of inactivity, the system reverts to playing the analog video stream of previews to further conserve digital resources.

Interactive entertainment network system and method with analog video

The interactive entertainment network system has a headend connected to multiple user interface units in individual homes via a distribution network. The user interface units are operable in a video-on-demand (VOD) mode to order and receive video content programs from the headend. The VOD mode is activated when the viewer tunes to a designated VOD channel. In the event that a viewer orders a video content program, the headend transmits the ordered video content program to the particular user interface unit. The viewer can watch the program at their leisure. In the event that the viewer changes from the VOD channel to a non-VOD channel prior to completion of the ordered program, the headend automatically pauses transmission of the ordered video content program. When the viewer once again tunes to the VOD channel, the headend automatically resumes transmission of the ordered video content program to the user interface unit. In this manner, the viewer is afforded flexibility to watch the ordered program at their own schedule, and is not penalized by missing part of the rented program simply for changing channels.

System for automatic pause/resume of content delivered on a channel in

A video control user interface is provided for use in an interactive television system. The video control user interface includes a remote control handset with a multi-purpose, multi-direction actuation pad and a set-top box configured to operate in different modes, including a movie-on-demand mode. In this mode, the set-top box receives digitally transmitted video data streams of a selected movie from a centralized head end server. During display of a video movie, the set-top box can cause, at the viewer's request, the television to display an icon representing a physical layout of the actuation pad on the remote control handset and one or more symbols arranged at locations relative to the icon. The symbols relate to shuttle controls for controlling viewing of the video movie. This user interface presents an intuitive visual mapping of the shuttle controls about the depicted icon onto physical actuation positions of the multi-direction pad on the remote control handset. When the viewer wishes to change the viewing mode (such as from 'play' to 'pause'), the viewer simply depresses the pad at an actuation position that corresponds to a desired shuttle control symbol arranged at approximately the same location relative to the pad-resembling icon that is displayed on the screen. This user interface provides intuitive video control using a multi-purpose actuator, thereby eliminating the need for dedicated shuttle control buttons on the remote control handset.

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Matthew W Dunn