Robert A Lambert

US Patent:

6445398, Sep 3, 2002

Filed:

Jun 24, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/103317

Inventors:

George Gerba - Venice CA
Robert Lambert - Glendale CA
Michael Nichols - Altadena CA
Drew Takahashi - San Mateo CA

Assignee:

Corporate Media Partners - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

H04N 714

US Classification:

345721, 345823

Abstract:

A method and system of providing a user interface for presenting television programming schedule data on a display. The schedule data is organized in a data plane comprising data cells identifying the items of schedule data, such as the titles of the television programs. The method involves presenting a highlight cell or cursor at a fixed position on the display such that a first data cell is at a concurrent position with the highlight cell, and allowing the data plane to scroll on the display in at least one direction such that all or part of the first data cell moves out of concurrent position with the highlight cell and a second data cell or part thereof moves into concurrent position with the highlight cell. This fixed position highlight cell thus remains stationary while the data plane or electronic program guide scrid moves, making it easier for viewers to peruse the selections in the data plane without moving their eyes substantially. The highlight cell is preferably in a substantially central location on the display.

US Patent:

6452611, Sep 17, 2002

Filed:

Jun 24, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/103316

Inventors:

George Gerba - Venice CA
Robert Lambert - Glendale CA
Michael Nichols - Altadena CA

Assignee:

Corporate Media Partners - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

G06K 1500

US Classification:

345721, 345821

Abstract:

A method and system for providing dynamically changing sets of categories of television programming. The method involves a person or intelligent agent generating at a head end a first data set identifying programming categories based at least in part on programming choices available for viewing at a first time. This data set is transmitted from the head end to remote receivers, which display the set of programming categories to the viewer who can select a category and view the various programming choices within the category. The method further involves generating a second data set identifying different programming categories based at least in part on programming choices available for viewing at a second time later than the first time. This second set is also transmitted to remote receivers so that viewers see an updated set of programming categories. Thus, viewers are always presented with categories for which programming is currently available.

US Patent:

6492997, Dec 10, 2002

Filed:

Jun 24, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/103315

Inventors:

George Gerba - Venice CA
Robert Lambert - Glendale CA
Michael Nichols - Altadena CA

Assignee:

Corporate Media PArtners - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

G06K 1500

US Classification:

345721, 345838

Abstract:

A method and system for presenting an interactive multi-window video display which provides particular advantages in a one-way television broadcast system in which user selections can not be transmitted to a head end or other central station. The system comprises a receiver for receiving a multi-window video signal representing a multi-window video display comprising a number of reduced size video displays. The reduced size video displays each contain video representing programming being currently offered on a different channel. The system presents the multi-window video display on a display device such as a television and allows viewers to select of one of the reduced size video displays. When the reduced size video is selected for highlighting, the audio associated with that video is presented. When the highlighted video is selected, the receiver tunes to the channel upon which the video is available in full screen mode.

US Patent:

6895170, May 17, 2005

Filed:

Oct 9, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/169501

Inventors:

Robert E. Lambert - Glendale CA, US
W. Daniel Hillis - Toluca Lake CA, US

Assignee:

Disney Enterprises, Inc. - Burbank CA

International Classification:

H04N005/91

US Classification:

386 95, 386125, 386126

Abstract:

The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for playback of programs and other works recorded on random access storage media. One embodiment of the invention relates to random access storage media such as a DVD (“digital versatile disk” or “digital video disk”) used to distribute motion pictures and other audio/video programs or works. The invention involves a manner of utilizing secondary storage space of the storage media not used by the primary program being distributed to store secondary programs such as movie trailers and product advertisements, and to present the secondary programs to the user in a topical and interesting manner. In one embodiment, storage space of a random access storage medium such as a DVD is allocated to a number of variously sized programs or program portions called “chapters. ” In one embodiment, each primary and secondary program constitutes a separate chapter. In this embodiment, each time the primary chapter is played, the DVD playback device plays a limited selection of secondary chapters before and/or after the primary chapter.

US Patent:

7474834, Jan 6, 2009

Filed:

Mar 22, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/088230

Inventors:

Robert E. Lambert - Glendale CA, US
W. Daniel Hillis - Toluca Lake CA, US

Assignee:

Disney Enterprises, Inc. - Burbank CA

International Classification:

H04N 5/91

US Classification:

386 95, 386125, 386126

Abstract:

The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for playback of programs and other works recorded on random access storage media. One embodiment of the invention relates to random access storage media such as a DVD (“digital versatile disk” or “digital video disk”) used to distribute motion pictures and other audio/video programs or works. The invention involves a manner of utilizing secondary storage space of the storage media not used by the primary program being distributed to store secondary programs such as movie trailers and product advertisements, and to present the secondary programs to the user in a topical and interesting manner. In one embodiment, storage space of a random access storage medium such as a DVD is allocated to a number of variously sized programs or program portions called “chapters. ” In one embodiment, each primary and secondary program constitutes a separate chapter. In this embodiment, each time the primary chapter is played, the DVD playback device plays a limited selection of secondary chapters before and/or after the primary chapter.

US Patent:

7500202, Mar 3, 2009

Filed:

Sep 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/260210

Inventors:

George Gerba - Venice CA, US
Robert Lambert - Glendale CA, US
Michael Nichols - Altadena CA, US

Assignee:

Corporate Media Partners - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

H04N 7/14
G06F 3/00

US Classification:

715856, 345156

Abstract:

Presented is a remote control for interacting with a navigation system that allows content presented on a display device to be navigated in an organized and categorized fashion. The remote control comprises operational controls grouped by navigational function located on at least three sides of the remote control for selecting content. An infrared transmitter is provided for transmitting instructions coded as infrared signals. A programmable controller is operative to receive an indication that a control was selected and instruct the transmitter to transmit an infrared signal corresponding to the control selected.

US Patent:

8649658, Feb 11, 2014

Filed:

Dec 5, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/315765

Inventors:

Robert E. Lambert - Glendale CA, US
W. Daniel Hillis - Toluca Lake CA, US

Assignee:

Disney Enterprises, Inc. - Burbank CA

International Classification:

H04N 9/80

US Classification:

386241, 386250

Abstract:

The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for playback of programs and other works recorded on random access storage media. One embodiment of the invention relates to random access storage media such as a DVD (“digital versatile disk” or “digital video disk”) used to distribute motion pictures and other audio/video programs or works. The invention involves a manner of utilizing secondary storage space of the storage media not used by the primary program being distributed to store secondary programs such as movie trailers and product advertisements, and to present the secondary programs to the user in a topical and interesting manner. In one embodiment, storage space of a random access storage medium such as a DVD is allocated to a number of variously sized programs or program portions called “chapters. ” In one embodiment, each primary and secondary program constitutes a separate chapter. In this embodiment, each time the primary chapter is played, the DVD playback device plays a limited selection of secondary chapters before and/or after the primary chapter.

US Patent:

59319089, Aug 3, 1999

Filed:

Dec 23, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/773263

Inventors:

George Gerba - Venice CA
Robert E. Lambert - Glendale CA
Howard Meiseles - Santa Clarita CA
Mike Nichols - Altadena CA

Assignee:

The Walt Disney Corporation - Burbank CA

International Classification:

G06F 1730

US Classification:

709219

Abstract:

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for linking real-time data with audiovisual content to enable a user to make selections, manipulate data, and to execute functions interactively through an audiovisual display unit based upon audiovisual content being displayed at the time. Audiovisual content is synchronized with the available interactive functions so that the user has the ability to interact with and perform functions related to the audiovisual content being shown at the time. In a preferred embodiment, actionable events in audiovisual programs are synchronized with associated overlay functions and interface data. A method is provided to make overlay functions available to the user through an audiovisual display during the actionable events that occur in a program being viewed by the user. A user interface for each overlay function that may be performed, which user interface may or may not be visible to the user, is overlaid on and synchronized with the program being shown. Interaction with selections may be made using any of several known methods such as a screen menu or a cursor controlled by a remote control device.