US 9247174

{"answer":"### Summary of U.S. Patent No. 9,247,174

Title: Panel user interface for an intelligent television.

Assignee: The original assignee was Flextronics AP, LLC. As of January 18, 2023, the patent is assigned to MULTIMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES PTE, LTD.

Inventors:

• Sanjiv Sirpal
• Mohammed Selim
• Saulo Correia Dourado
• Alexander de Paz

Filing Date: August 16, 2013

Issue Date: January 26, 2016

Abstract: The patent describes a method and system for displaying content on an intelligent television. It involves a user interface with content panels that can be navigated using directional input from a remote control. The system can identify the currently displayed content and its source to provide contextually relevant information and options in the panels. This allows users to access additional information, applications, and features without completely navigating away from the primary content they are watching.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

This patent has three independent claims: Claim 1, Claim 8, and Claim 14.

Claim 1: A method for displaying content on a television.
This claim outlines a method for a smart TV to display content in a special "panel" on the screen. Here's a simplified breakdown:

• The TV receives a directional command from the user (e.g., pressing an arrow key on the remote).
• Based on which direction is pressed, the TV determines which content panel to show.
• The TV then retrieves initial information to display in that panel.
• It also recognizes what content is currently playing on the main screen.
• Based on the current content, the TV selects a specific type of panel to display.
• Finally, it pulls additional, relevant information based on that panel type and displays everything together in the on-screen panel.

In essence, this claim describes a system where a user can bring up a side panel on their TV that provides information and options related to what they are currently watching, and the content of this panel changes intelligently based on the context.

Claim 8: A non-transitory computer-readable information storage medium.
This claim is very similar to Claim 1, but it focuses on the software that makes the smart TV work. It describes a storage medium (like a hard drive or flash memory) that contains instructions for the TV's processor. When the processor follows these instructions, it performs the same method described in Claim 1: receiving directional input, determining and displaying a content panel, identifying the current content, and populating the panel with contextually relevant information. This is a common way to claim a software invention, protecting the code that enables the described functionality.

Claim 14: A system for displaying content on a television.
This claim describes the physical hardware components of the "intelligent television" system. It specifies a system that includes:

• An input device (like a remote control).
• A memory to store information.
• A microprocessor (the "brain" of the TV).

The claim states that this microprocessor is set up to perform the exact same steps outlined in Claim 1. It receives a directional input, determines which panel to show, identifies what's currently playing, and then displays a panel with relevant information. This claim protects the physical device that is configured to operate in the described manner.

Litigation:

A search of the CAFC (Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit) dockets for 2026 did not reveal any cases specifically citing US Patent 9,247,174. However, it's important to note that court records can sometimes be complex, and a lack of immediate results does not definitively mean no litigation exists. Further, district court level cases or cases from other years would not appear in this specific search. Information on the Google Patents page for this patent indicates it has been involved in litigation in various U.S. District Courts and the PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board).","go_back_to_search":"false"}

Patent Analysis: U.S. Patent No. 9,247,174

Title: Panel user interface for an intelligent television

Assignee: Multimedia Technologies Pte Ltd. (Original Assignee: Flextronics AP LLC)

Inventors: Sanjiv Sirpal, Mohammed Selim, Saulo Correia Dourado, Alexander de Paz

Filing Date: August 16, 2013

Issue Date: January 26, 2016

Abstract: The invention describes a method and system for an intelligent television's user interface. When a user provides a directional input (e.g., using a remote), a content panel is displayed. The system identifies the content currently being shown on the main screen and uses this context to select and display relevant information and options within the panel. This allows for an interactive experience without completely navigating away from the primary content.

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Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims

This patent has three independent claims, which protect the core invention in three different forms: as a method (a series of steps), as a system (the physical hardware), and as a non-transitory computer-readable medium (the software).

Claim 1: A method of displaying content on a television.

This claim protects the process of how the user interface works. In simple terms, the method involves:

1. Detecting a directional command from the user's remote control.
2. Opening a "content panel" on the screen based on the direction the user indicated.
3. Looking at what the user is currently watching (e.g., a specific show, a movie from a streaming app).
4. Intelligently choosing a type of panel (e.g., an "info panel," a "recommendations panel") based on what the user is watching.
5. Populating that panel with information related to the current content and the chosen panel type.

Essentially, this covers the interactive sequence of a user pressing a button to get a smart, context-aware menu or information overlay on their TV screen.

Claim 8: A non-transitory computer-readable information storage medium.

This claim protects the software that enables the method described in Claim 1. It describes a physical storage device (like a hard drive, solid-state drive, or memory chip) that holds the programming instructions. When a processor in the television runs these instructions, it will perform all the steps outlined in Claim 1. This prevents others from selling software or firmware that implements the same patented user interface feature.

Claim 14: A system for displaying content on a television.

This claim protects the physical device itself—the "intelligent television" system. It defines the system as having an input device (like a remote), a memory, and a microprocessor. The claim specifies that the microprocessor is configured to execute the steps of the method from Claim 1: receiving user input, identifying the current content, and displaying the appropriate contextual panel. This covers the sale and manufacture of a TV or set-top box built to perform the patented function.

Litigation Status

A search of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) dockets for the year 2026 did not show any cases involving U.S. Patent No. 9,247,174. However, public records associated with this patent indicate that it has been the subject of other legal actions, including proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and litigation in various U.S. District Courts.