Gemstar Developement Corporation

Index Systems, Inc.

Thomas E Ward

Henry C Yuen

Douglas B Macrae

Elsie Y Leung

Kenneth S Hancock

Jonathan B Orlick

Ted Nesson

Ken Hancock

Ron Alexander

Sean O'Neil

Jon Sutton

P Christopher Schoaff

Art Ng

Steve Dias

Tom Westberg

A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.

System and method for targeted advertisement display responsive to user characteristics

System and method for modifying advertisement responsive to EPG information

System and method for displaying advertisements responsive to EPG information

System and method for utilizing EPG database for modifying advertisements

The present invention is directed to a television schedule guide which includes a detector for determining whether a previously scrambled program is unscrambled. If a previously scrambled program is momentarily unscrambled due to promotional efforts by the program provider, the system will visually distinguish the program on the guide, and a viewer may tune to or record the program from the guide. The view may also subscribe to the program provider through the guide during the promotional period.

Detection and indication of premium channel availability

The present invention is an improvement over previous Electronic Programming Guides (&ldquo;EPG&rdquo;) in that it provides, among other things: Improved viewer interaction capabilities with the EPG; improved viewer control of video recording of future-scheduled programming; improved features to the EPG display and navigation; parental control of the EPG display; improved television program information access by the viewer; improved opportunities for the commercial advertiser to reach the viewer; improved product information access by the viewer; creation of a viewer's profile; utilization of viewer profile information to customize various aspects of the EPG; and utilization of viewer profile information to provide customized presentation of advertising to the viewer.

Systems and methods for displaying and recording control interface with television programs, video, advertising information and program scheduling information

Growing community of inventors

WESTON, MA, United States of America

Thomas E Ward