Patents Examined by Alan Luong
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Patent number: 9088819Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for providing the user instructional information describing the operation of their television receiving device system.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2004Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Michael T. Dugan, David A. Kummer
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Patent number: 9053324Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enabling upgrading of a television (TV) device that is connectable to an internet protocol TV (IPTV) system including an operator system and a TV manufacturer system are described. The upgrading is based on a token object and verifies a requested upgrading of the TV device. A token object is generated at the TV manufacturer system in response to receiving a request for upgrading from the TV device, and delivered to the TV device, thus enabling the TV device to complete the requested upgrading process due to possessing a valid token. A TV device, an operator system, and a TV manufacturer system adapted to execute the suggested methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2010Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M ERICSSON (PUBL)Inventors: Mats Cedervall, Nilo Mitra
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Patent number: 9055335Abstract: A system, method and computer program utilize a distance associative hashing algorithmic means to provide a highly efficient means to rapidly address a large database. The indexing means can be readily subdivided into a plurality of independently-addressable segments where each such segment can address a portion of related data of the database where the sub-divided indexes of said portions reside entirely in the main memory of each of a multiplicity of server means. The resulting cluster of server means, each hosting an addressable sector of a larger database of searchable audio or video information, provides a significant improvement in the latency and scalability of an Automatic Content Recognition system, among other uses.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2014Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Cognitive Networks, Inc.Inventors: Zeev Neumeier, Brian Reed
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Patent number: 9047367Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises identifying user selection preferences of an identified user having accessed the network, the identifying based on an accumulation of user selection inputs executed by the identified user, relative to input options presented to the user and identifying respective available network items, the accumulation including an identification of the input options not having been selected by the identified user; determining a group of network users having a highest correlation of shared interests with the identified user, based on identifying preferred network items for the identified user, and identifying first network users providing highest relative user affinity values for each of the preferred network items; and determining at least one of new network items most likely to be preferred by the identified user, based on determining, from among network items not presented to the identifier user, the preferred network items for each of the first network users in the group.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2013Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: John Toebes, Ari Daniel Scheinman, Eric Chan
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Patent number: 8938765Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting content delivery service are described. In accordance with the invention content can be supplied to temporary storage of a regional or local server used to supply the content to a customer's premises when the requested content is not already available in the regional or local server. A content server hierarchy may be implemented with servers higher up in the hierarchy including more content, e.g., titles, than the number of titles stored in the lower level servers. By storing less frequently accessed content in servers higher in the hierarchy and frequently requested titles lower in the hierarchy, a vast number of titles can be supported without overburdening the storage available at local and regional servers. In addition, a national or other server high in the hierarchy can be used to store, move, and distribute local or other content as part of an on demand service.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2006Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCInventors: Robert Benya, James Kasanin, Glen Hardin
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Patent number: 8931030Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to detect a portable media storage device (PMSD), present media content supplied by the PMSD, present a survey to appraise the media content; receive a survey response, and transmit the survey response to a survey collection system identified by the PMSD. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2008Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LPInventor: Scott White
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Patent number: 8910199Abstract: The invention enables and/or facilitates the display of personalized content to content observers by content providers (e.g., advertisers) who disseminate content over a network. In particular, the invention can be used to enable the display of targeted content to television viewers and/or targeted product placements within a television program. The invention can advantageously enable identification of the content observer(s) observing a content display device at a particular time and/or identification of the content display site, and selection of targeted content for display based on a determination of content appropriate for display to those content observer(s) in accordance with a criterion based on the identity and/or a characteristic of the content observer(s) and/or the content display site.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2009Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Interval Licensing LLCInventors: Malcolm Slaney, Bonnie M. Johnson, Annarosa Tomasi
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Patent number: 8887198Abstract: Provided are a display device and a channel search method thereof. The display device comprises: a key input unit for inputting a request command from a user; a tuner unit for sequentially searching broadcast channels of each band according to a channel search command input from the key input unit; and a control unit for controlling a channel re-search to be performed sequentially from an already-searched channel when a channel re-search command is input from the key input unit during the sequential channel search.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Eunyoung Kim
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Patent number: 8875200Abstract: A method and apparatus for outputting video frames while changing channels using a digital broadcast receiver are provided. The method includes sequentially tuning to a plurality of channels and receiving a plurality of digital broadcast signals from the respective channels; extracting a plurality of video frames from the respective digital broadcast signals and storing the video frames; receiving a digital broadcast signal from a desired channel to be tuned upon receiving a channel-change command; and outputting at least one of the stored video frames before a digital broadcast signal of the desired channel is output.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2008Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Min-Kyu Park
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Patent number: 8854554Abstract: Disclosed is a channel setting processing including the steps of: generating a channel map data including physical channel information about a physical channel available to receive a broadcast signal, the physical channel information being at least a main channel number of a virtual channel, a sub channel number of the virtual channel, a broadcast station name, and a predetermined program information indicating program contents; judging whether or not there exist plural physical channels on standby for reception and capable of sharing the same program there between, based on at least two kinds of information among the physical channel information, recorded on a channel to channel basis on the channel map data; and, based on the judgment that there exit plural physical channels sharing the same program, disenabling other physical channels except one physical channel thereamong to be selected despite the instruction of physical channel selection through external manipulation.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2008Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tomonori Shioji
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Patent number: 8850498Abstract: A system and method for distributing digital video contents that provides the content owner, service provider, video distributors and consumers with a method for secure delivery of digital media content by encryption using a portable digital video storage and distribution device that includes a decoder and, wired, USB and HDMI wireless interfaces to transmit digital contents for viewing on a television, laptop/personal computer or other portable viewing devices. The system consists of a remote content-distribution management platform that provides end-to-end protection and a portable digital video storage and distribution device using broadband wireless technologies such as 802.11n and ultra wideband (UWB).Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2009Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Collideo LLCInventors: Wayne C. Roach, Gil R. Pascal
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Patent number: 8850509Abstract: An enhanced multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) implementation having a single Receive (Rx) physical (Phy) module that is arranged to receive data via one of at least two Rx radio frequency (RF) modules, which are arranged to be in communication with a coaxial cable, and at least two transmit (Tx) Phy modules respectively arranged to be in communication with two Tx RF modules, which are also arranged to be in communication with the coaxial cable.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2008Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Ford, Jack Thomas Matheney, Leo Montreuil
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Patent number: 8832767Abstract: A frequency band selection device that can be inserted into a signal transmission line of a CATV system on the premise of a user includes at least two signal path sets between a tap side and a premise side. Each signal path set includes two discrete signal paths, a high frequency signal path for a downstream bandwidth and a low frequency signal path for an upstream bandwidth. The high frequency signal path and the low frequency signal path are separated by a cut-off transition frequency that is different for each signal path set. The device further includes a switch controller having at least two discrete switch positions. The switch controller chooses one of the switch positions as a result of an information signal. Each of the switch positions corresponds to a respective one of the signal path sets.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2008Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: PPC Broadband, Inc.Inventors: Thomas A. Olson, David Kelma, Joseph Lai, Steven K. Shafer
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Patent number: 8819719Abstract: The present invention enables real-time video commenting by viewers of media content on a web site. The media content may be video, audio, text, still images or other types of media content. When a content viewer indicates a desire to provide a real-time video comment, a content server causes a video input device at the content viewer's location to be activated. The content viewer's video comment is captured by the video input device and transmitted to the content server, where it is stored and associated with the video being commented upon. When the original video is subsequently presented to content viewers, indicia of the video comment such as a thumbnail or description of the comment is also presented, thus inviting content viewers to view the video comment in addition to the original video.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2007Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Steven Chen, Michael Powers, Hong Qu, Yu Pan
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Patent number: 8799963Abstract: A system and method of switching services in a receiver unit includes a verifier module in the receiver unit receiving a service signal and middleware within the receiving unit receiving an evaluate signal and enabling the verifier to determine a service change from the service signal. The middleware changing a service flag for the service when a service change is determined at the verifier.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Ronald J. Hubach, Ivonne Y. Chen, Natalya Klimochkin, Sewon Oh, Tam T. Leminh
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Patent number: 8769586Abstract: Content used in creating an electronic program guide and/or channels for a television reception system is delivered to a local receiving device, such as a direct to home satellite receiver, as individual digital objects. Rules (i.e., conditional expressions) may be embedded in the digital objects to allow different actions in different situations. These rules can be used to determine whether an object should be stored, which objects should be included in an electronic program guide, and/or what content should be used to create a particular channel.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2009Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Arsenault, Tam T. Leminh, Craig A. Finseth, Jeffrey A. Brown, Philip E. Hsiao
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Patent number: 8760575Abstract: The computer readable storage medium includes computer executable instructions for implementing a videodescription player module. The computer executable instructions implementing a user interface for selecting one or more videodescription output options among a plurality of videodescription output options. A videodescription player module generates a videodescription output that includes vocal communication information according to the selected output option.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Centre de Recherche Informatique de Montreal (Crim)Inventors: Langis Gagnon, Claude Chapdelaine, David Byrns
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Patent number: 8756647Abstract: One embodiment may take the form of a control circuit that provides a combined power signal and control signal to an LNB of a satellite system. The control circuit output may be transmitted to an LNB by a set-top box (STB) such that the STB may control the LNB. The control circuit may accept an enable signal from the STB to alter the circuit from a transmitting circuit to a receiving circuit. The control circuit may also integrate the functionality of a low pass filter into the communication signal circuit, thereby removing the need for a low pass filter at a power supply output. The control circuit may also provide a low overall power consumption of the circuit by isolating the communication signal from the power supply signal before the signals are combined.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2008Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: EchoStar Global B.V.Inventor: Herman J. J. de Leeuw
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Patent number: 8745685Abstract: Methods and apparatus for smoothly and efficiently upgrading set top boxes, e.g., personal video recorders, which have customer selected content stored thereon are described. The described methods allow content stored on a set top box to be uploaded to a network storage device, e.g., automatically at a predetermined time prior to a scheduled upgrade, or in some cases, via manual control of the set top box to be upgraded. After stored content is uploaded to the network storage device, the set top box is replaced with a new set top box. The new set top box can be preloaded with the previously uploaded content or a content download can be triggered, e.g., by activating a hidden application and by supplying information identifying the set top box being replaced as part of the upgrade process.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2008Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCInventors: Hugh Josephs, Stephen Johnson
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Patent number: 8739231Abstract: Various techniques for providing a video-on-demand (VOD) system based on distributed networks are disclosed. According to one aspect of the VOD system, individual client devices on a network are identified to supply each other with needed sources in pieces to render required services. As a result, the loading pressure on a central server or centralized servers is distributed into the network. A VOD system so contemplated can sustain a substantial growth in its subscribers.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2005Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Vudu, Inc.Inventors: Prasanna Ganesan, Tony Miranz, Alain Rossmann