Patents Examined by Chenea Smith
  • Patent number: 8272008
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for retrieving audio signals. A video signal is received that is associated with a content identifier and an alternate audio tag. In response to the alternate audio tag, a query is made for an alternate audio source that corresponds to the content identifier. A query result is received that identifies at least one alternate audio signal that corresponds to the content identifier and that is separately available from the video signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Dennis R. Meek, Robert A. Koch
  • Patent number: 8250623
    Abstract: A preference extracting apparatus includes a text information obtaining section that obtains text information having correspondence with a scene being currently played when video contents having text information having correspondence with each scene is played, a keyword extracting section that extracts a keyword for measuring user's preference based on the text information, a presenting section that presents the user a fact that the keyword has been extracted, a preference value defining section that defines a preference value of the user regarding the extracted keyword in accordance with the response by the user to the presentation, a storage section that establishes correspondence between the keyword and the preference value and stores them as the user's preference information in predetermined storage means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiharu Yabe, Tatsuya Narahara
  • Patent number: 8239907
    Abstract: Inserting protocol adaptation layers into access equipment to translate data over cable service interface specification services control messages to the corresponding messages in the other (multiple) heterogeneous access specification(s) includes AMTS DOCSIS-to-access protocol translation and AMTS access-to-DOCSIS protocol translation. A method of expanding DOCSIS into an alternative access network includes deploying a protocol adaptation layer in access equipment to translate DOCSIS control messages to corresponding messages for use in the alternative access network. Translating DOCSIS control messages to corresponding messages for use in the alternative access network includes AMTS DOCSIS-to-access protocol translation and AMTS access-to-DOCSIS protocol translation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Aurora Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Oleh Sniezko, Thomas Fong, Vladimir Bronstein
  • Patent number: 8225366
    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: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Brant L. Candelore
  • Patent number: 8205236
    Abstract: The contents distribution system for distributing contents to a terminal of each user through a communication network, including a distribution server which connects to each terminal through the communication network to distribute contents, in which the distribution server sequentially divides data of contents to be distributed into frames to generate frames coded by a predetermined plurality of different coding systems, selects, based on a request from the terminal of the user, a frame appropriate for the request from among the generated frames and transmits the selected frame to the terminal in question.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Kozo Satoda
  • Patent number: 8176522
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recovering a downloading section that has been interrupted, in a device comprising an interface with a network enabling access to a remote server and means for implementing a downloading session with the said server, comprising the steps for starting up a downloading session of a content from the remote server, by means of more than one signalling channel with at least the said server, detecting a premature interruption of the downloading session, verifying the availability of all the channels, as long as one of the channels is unavailable, the session is not recovered and when all the channels are again available, the session is recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Thierry Quere, Duncan Lamb, Jean-François Lagardere
  • Patent number: 8156523
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method of providing a TV program sharing service that enables sharing of a TV program among EPG-based TV sets and/or set top boxes, and thus enables recording of the already broadcast program whenever a user desires to do so. The system includes a TV client for directly uploading a program stored in its own storage device to another TV client, or for directly downloading a program stored in a storage device of another TV client to itself, and a shared program management center for storing record information of the programs stored in the TV clients in its own database, and enabling a mutual transfer of the programs among the TV clients using its database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Beom Joo Seo
  • Patent number: 8037493
    Abstract: Techniques are described to customize the functional capabilities of a remote control device with one or more modular hardware components. In an implementation, a modular hardware component coupled to a remote control device is identified. A user interface is configured according to the identified modular hardware component and/or the functional capabilities of the identified modular hardware component. The configured user interface corresponds to the modular hardware component and is operable via inputs or data provided through user manipulation of the modular hardware component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Charles J. Migos