The Directv Group, Inc.

Tommi J Iten

Eric J Bennett

David P Green

Tyson L Wintibaugh

Brian Black

Chris Roy

Robert G Arsenault

Tam T Leminh

David Eric Shanks

Jeffrey L Sharkey

Huy Q Tran

Alistair E Jeffs

Christopher R Roy

Kenny C Chen

Robert A Bergman

Bradley J Beale

Joy A Arai

Scott M Benoit

Customizable graphical elements for use in association with a user interface are described. An example apparatus for use in a broadcast media presentation system includes a user interface to enable a user interaction with the broadcast media presentation system, and a controller to implement one or more customizable graphical elements to be displayed in association with the user interface, wherein the one or more customizable graphical elements are to be animated to interact with the user interface.

Customizable graphical elements for use in association with a user interface

Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for searching available programs in a broadcast system. A system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises a transmitter, transmitting a plurality of video programs and a program guide, the program guide comprising information related to the plurality of video programs, a receiver for receiving the plurality of programs and the program guide from the transmitter, a monitor, coupled to the receiver, for displaying at least a selected one of the plurality of video programs and for selectively displaying the program guide, and a remote control, coupled to the receiver, wherein the receiver accepts at least one input from the remote control, compares the information in the program to the at least one input, and presents a search result of programs from the plurality of programs having a matching characteristic with the at least one input.

Method and apparatus to search for program content via a remote control interface

A receiving device and method for operating the same includes a tuner tuned to a first channel having a first program, a memory storing program guide data therein and a controller in communication with the tuner and the memory. The controller determines the first channel is a blacked out channel, searches the program data in the memory for a second program equivalent to the first program, determines a second channel associated with the second program and tunes the tuner device to the second channel.

Method and apparatus for redirecting a receiving device in the event of a programming blackout

Video loop apparatus and methods for use with digital television systems are disclosed. The methods and apparatus store a media file loop in a receiver and retrieve the media file loop to generate a video loop signal based on the media file loop. The video loop signal is output for display to a television, a video monitor or the like.

Video loop apparatus and methods for use with digital television systems

A method of conditionally displaying an icon to indicate a status within a user interface as part of a media presentation system is described. An example method includes updating a status of content within the media presentation system, displaying at least one icon within a guide menu containing one or more menu sections with each menu section containing a plurality of menu layers, and displaying the icon within a first menu layer to indicate the status of content within menu layers associated with the first menu layer.

Methods and apparatus to conditionally display icons in a user interface

Methods and apparatus to distinguish elements of a user interface are described. An example user interface includes a plurality of channel cells including a first channel cell having a first attribute and a second channel cell having a second attribute; and a plurality of program cells associated with the plurality of channel cells, wherein at least one program cell has a third attribute, wherein the third attribute distinguishes the at least one program cell from an associated channel cell.

Methods and apparatus to distinguish elements of a user interface

Row advertisements for use in a program guide are described. An example includes a program guide to aid a user navigate a media presentation system; a list of entries to represent a plurality of programs; an advertisement positioned within the list of entries, wherein the advertisement is interactive to allow a user to manipulate the advertisement, and wherein the advertisement is associated with one of the plurality of programs.

Advertisements for use in a program guide

Methods and apparatus to save search data are described. An example method for use in media presentation system includes receiving one or more characters to form a search string to be used in a first type of search; converting the search string to one or more keywords to be used in a second type of search; and storing the one or more keywords in a collection of keyword search data to enable a selection of stored keyword search data to perform a search of the second type.

Methods and apparatus to save search data

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for notifying a user of a remote control regarding the mode of a remote control. An example method includes detecting a code from the remote control, comparing the detected code to a list of recognized codes, and informing the user of the mode the remote control is operating based on the detected code and/or that the current mode of the remote control is not programmed.

Remote control mode on-screen displays and methods for producing the same

A navigation device that allows a user to quickly navigate a television environment that provides multiple services, features and options. The navigation device of the present invention is a graphical user interface and minimum of commands from a remote control to navigate through the services provided. The present invention is made up of three basic parts; an anchor, menus, and control bars. An anchor is the base or foundation of the device and includes branding, a progress bar for indicating the number of available menus, and other services such as the current date and time. Other device elements extend from the anchor.

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Redondo Beach, CA, United States of America

Tommi J Iten