Patents Examined by Chenea Smith
  • Patent number: 8826342
    Abstract: Promotional content provided by content providers is distributed to mobile devices to be displayed with designated videos on mobile devices. The promotional content is received from a content provider, e.g., via an API and associated with a video, group of videos or channel available from a video hosting server. The promotional content meets certain specifications set by the video hosting server. A mobile device requests promotional content for a selected video and the video hosting server provides any available promotional content to the mobile device. The promotional content is displayed with the selected video as designated by the content provider. Activation of the promotional content in some embodiments results in an action being invoked on the mobile device, such as loading of a uniform resource identifier. In some cases, the promotional content is cached by the mobile device for later use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher LaRosa, Horia Ciurdar, Andrey Doronichev
  • Patent number: 8776152
    Abstract: A request is sent from a client device to a host device hosting an application. A display associated with execution of the application on the host device may include a video portion and one or more non-video portions. Information may be sent from the host device to the client device over the communication network. Such information may include display information for the video portion as described by raster data and information for the non-video portions as described by vector data. Such information may be used by the client device to generate a display corresponding to the host display. The video portion of the client display may be based on the raster data, and the non-video portions of the client display may be based on the vector data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: hopTo Inc.
    Inventor: Eldad Eilam
  • Patent number: 8763054
    Abstract: A request is sent from a client device to a host device hosting an application. A display associated with execution of the application on the host device may include a video portion and one or more non-video portions. Information may be sent from the host device to the client device over the communication network. Such information may include display information for the video portion as described by raster data and information for the non-video portions as described by vector data. Such information may be used by the client device to generate a display corresponding to the host display. The video portion of the client display may be based on the raster data, and the non-video portions of the client display may be based on the vector data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: hopTo Inc.
    Inventor: Eldad Eilam
  • Patent number: 8763055
    Abstract: A request is sent from a client device to a host device hosting an application. A display associated with execution of the application on the host device may include a video portion and one or more non-video portions. Information may be sent from the host device to the client device over the communication network. Such information may include display information for the video portion as described by raster data and information for the non-video portions as described by vector data. Such information may be used by the client device to generate a display corresponding to the host display. The video portion of the client display may be based on the raster data, and the non-video portions of the client display may be based on the vector data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: hopTo Inc.
    Inventor: Eldad Eilam
  • Patent number: 8763030
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method can automatically present a plurality of selectable rich media video clips associated with goods and/or services offered for sale via an interactive networked communication system including at least one client and at least one server. A request to the server can be initiated at the client via the interactive networked communication system to select a plurality of rich media video clips from a database of rich media video clips associated with corresponding goods and/or services. A static descriptor can be displayed on the client for each of the plurality of rich media video clips as selected and received from the server. The plurality of rich media video clips can automatically be presented on the client in a concatenated sequence in a continuous rich media video stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Unityworks! LLC
    Inventor: William C. Worthen
  • Patent number: 8756641
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a storage medium including computer instructions to receive sensory information at a media device from a first mobile communication device where the first mobile communication device obtains at least a portion of the sensory information from at least one second mobile communication device in response to a broadcast by the first mobile communication device of a wireless signal representing a notice to obtain the sensory information, where the sensory information is associated with an environment of the first mobile communication device, and where the sensory information comprises images of the environment. The computer instructions can enable generating a plurality of personal content utilizing at least a portion of the sensory information, where each of the plurality of personal content includes some of the images captured at different perspectives. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Aleksey Ivanov, Andrea Basso, Tara Hines, Jeffrey Mikan, Nadia Morris
  • Patent number: 8756622
    Abstract: Media monitoring and measurement systems and methods are disclosed. Some embodiments of the present invention provide a media measurement system and method that utilizes audience data to enhance content identifications. Some embodiments analyze media player log data to enhance content identification. Other embodiments of the present invention analyze sample sequence data to enhance content identifications. Other embodiments analyze sequence data to enhance content identification and/or to establish channel identification. Yet other embodiments provide a system and method in which sample construction and selection parameters are adjusted based upon identification results. Yet other embodiments provide a method in which play-altering activity of an audience member is deduced from content offset values of identifications corresponding to captured samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Anonymous Media Research, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Steuer, Christopher Otto
  • Patent number: 8745689
    Abstract: Efficient channel surfing in a compressed frame television system is provided by receiving and storing compressed frames representing unwatched channels. Then, when a viewer selects one of the unwatched channels for viewing, the corresponding compressed frame is retrieved from memory and is displayed until a sufficient number of frames are received for that channel to provide for normal viewing of that channel. Corresponding audio clips may also be stored in memory and retrieved and played when the corresponding channel is selected for viewing. Program data may also be stored for unwatched channels for later retrieval and display. Preferably, one tuner/decoder pair is utilized to display programs for selected channels, while a second tuner/decoder pair is utilized to capture and store compressed frames for unwatched channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: J. Carl Cooper
  • Patent number: 8726332
    Abstract: A broadcast programming delivery apparatus includes: a broadcast programming delivery control unit that controls broadcast programming delivery based on a broadcast programming delivery program formed of a plurality of items; and a switcher being controlled by the control unit, and a plurality of output channels of a material server having the plurality of output channels for outputting a video material being connected to predetermined input lines of the switcher, wherein the items include control data of the switcher having information for specifying a video material of the material server, and the control unit receives, from the material server, channel material information indicating a video material outputted from each of the output channels, and allows an input bus of the switcher necessary to take an input of a video material to select one of the input lines corresponding to the output channel from which the corresponding video material is outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Maegawa, Sensaburo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8713612
    Abstract: A hospitality media system includes a plurality of entertainment devices installed at a hospitality location and a content selector. The content selector is configured to retrieve a plurality of user profiles corresponding to current users of the hospitality location, and automatically adjust content made available on each of the entertainment devices at the hospitality location according to information stored in the user profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Guest Tek Interactive Entertainment Ltd.
    Inventors: Arnon Levy, Peter Warrick, Lindsey Carriere, Darren Ziebart, Joseph Kullos, Diego Fontes, Andrew MacMillan
  • Patent number: 8713601
    Abstract: Systems and methods of content delivery are provided. A particular content delivery system includes a gateway to deliver content to an end user device. The particular content delivery system also includes a content delivery module to deliver content to the gateway for display on the end user device. The particular content delivery module also includes a management controller. The particular content delivery system also includes an out-of-band signaling controller which receives input from the management controller and provides signaling to control the gateway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventors: Mark Foladare, Paul Gausman
  • Patent number: 8707380
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for integrating a bi-directional control channel into an entertainment display device to deliver content and exchange control information. The system collects request and response information from the entertainment display device. The system also provides format translation of received and collected content to and from a plurality of formats such as N-PCS technology formats and video display formats in such a manner that the integrated system is independent of broadcasters, satellite, IPTV and cable operators. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Brant L. Candelore
  • Patent number: 8677389
    Abstract: Media monitoring and measurement systems and methods are disclosed. Some embodiments of the present invention provide a media measurement system and method that utilizes audience data to enhance content identifications. Some embodiments analyze media player log data to enhance content identification. Other embodiments of the present invention analyze sample sequence data to enhance content identifications. Other embodiments analyze sequence data to enhance content identification and/or to establish channel identification. Yet other embodiments provide a system and method in which sample construction and selection parameters are adjusted based upon identification results. Yet other embodiments provide a method in which play-altering activity of an audience member is deduced from content offset values of identifications corresponding to captured samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Anonymous Media Research, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Steuer, Christopher Otto
  • Patent number: 8656421
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling network bandwidth that uses a timer to monitor the length of time that a set top box is set to a channel and, in response to the timer reaching a time limit, requesting a response from a user to verify that the channel is still being watched. If a response is not received with a specified time duration, the signal for the IPTV channel may be disconnected. The system may be configured to include “thin client” middleware on a network server or “thick client” middleware on a set top box, for example, to operate in conjunction with a network server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventor: Curtis Tucker
  • Patent number: 8646000
    Abstract: An image display may be controlled on a remote controller based on augmented reality. An image display apparatus may be identified that is connected to a network or located about the remote controller. A search may be made for content information regarding content playable in the identified image display apparatus. The content information may be received based on the searching. A screen may display a content guide image based on the received content information while simultaneously displaying an image of the identified image display apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Mingoo Kang, Haengjoon Kang, Sunjung Hwang, Jongsoon Park, Jinyung Park, Jongchul Kim, Junho Park
  • Patent number: 8645996
    Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver may display virtual keys on a screen, the virtual keys may be provided in a plurality of regions, each region having an identifier and characters that are unique from other regions. The digital broadcasting receiver may receive at least one input corresponding to selection of the identifier for selection of a desired character, wherein the desired character and at least one other character in a different region are displayed differently on the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: So Hee Heo, Jae Kyung Lee
  • Patent number: 8627371
    Abstract: A method of applying user profiles at a set-top box device includes receiving data associated with each of a plurality of user profiles at the set-top box device, the plurality of user profiles including a default profile and a supplemental profile. The method also includes automatically applying the supplemental profile to at least one set-top box action after a start time associated with the supplemental profile occurs. Further, the method includes automatically applying the default profile to the at least one set-top box action after an end time associated with the supplemental profile occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Scott White, James L. Cansler
  • Patent number: 8621545
    Abstract: A system and method for a content provider to distribute content may include configuring a webserver to be in communication with the Internet and be accessible to subscribers of a communication service provider without accessing the Internet. The content provider may be enabled to store content in at least one data storage bin at the webserver, where the webserver may further be configured to provide digital rights management for the content provider and guaranteed QoS to the subscribers when downloading the content. The content may be communicated from the webserver with guaranteed QoS to the subscribers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventor: Michael Bugenhagen
  • Patent number: 8607278
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, by a video client, interactive television content that permits a customer to select from two or more television shows competing for a timeslot, displaying, by the video client, the interactive television content on a display, receiving, by the video client, a selection of one of the two or more television shows to watch, and determining, by the video client, based on the interactive television content, whether the one of the two or more television shows selected is to be re-mapped to a channel number that is different than a channel number in which the interactive television content is displayed. The method further includes displaying, by the video client, the one of the two or more television shows on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventor: Syed Zafar Beyabani
  • Patent number: 8584180
    Abstract: A system and method for resource sharing are provided. The method includes storing an electronic programming guide (EPG) application and an EPG, determining when local memory of a local video device lacks capacity to download additional time of the EPG, and communicating with another device to transmit a resource request to the other device to download the additional time of the EPG to storage in the other device. The method also includes processing for display monitoring data that indicates remaining storage space in the storage of the other device, querying the other device to determine what programming is being viewed, and processing controls included in the EPG application that enable access to the storage of the other device to interact with the EPG stored on the other device through the local video device to schedule a programming event at the local video device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James H. Gray, Scott Russell Swix, P. Thomas Watson