The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 03, 2015
Filed:
Aug. 23, 2004
Michael D. Ellis, Boulder, CO (US);
William L. Thomas, Bixby, OK (US);
Edward B. Knudson, Littleton, CO (US);
Joel G. Hassell, Arvada, CO (US);
Kevin B. Easterbrook, Monument, CO (US);
Michael D. Ellis, Boulder, CO (US);
William L. Thomas, Bixby, OK (US);
Edward B. Knudson, Littleton, CO (US);
Joel G. Hassell, Arvada, CO (US);
Kevin B. Easterbrook, Monument, CO (US);
Rovi Guides, Inc., Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
A system is provided in which an interactive television program guide application and non-program-guide applications are at least partially implemented on user television equipment. A program guide program application interface is provided that is used to maintain a consistent user interface between the program guide application and the non-program-guide applications. The user may select certain non-program-guide applications as favorites and may set parental controls for certain non-program-guide applications. While the non-program-guide application operates, the program guide may check for events that require immediate attention. When such an event is detected, operation of the non-program-guide application may be suspended and the user may be asked whether the detected event should take place or whether operation of the non-program-guide application should be resumed. The program application interface may perform authentication and access rights determination functions. Reminders may be set for the content of non-program-guide applications.