Patents Examined by Jason Thomas
  • Patent number: 9842564
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for wireless transmission of audio/video information via different wired AV interface formats. A method and system for wireless communication of audio/video AV information between AV devices includes receiving audio/video (AV) information from a first AV module via a first wired AV interface in a first AV device, applying interface dependent processing to the AV information, and transmitting the processed AV information from a wireless transceiver over a wireless channel to a wireless receiver of a second AV device. The second AV device includes a second wired AV interface and the first AV interface is of a different type than the second interface device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Huai-Rong Shao, Ju-Lan Hsu, Chiu Ngo
  • Patent number: 9826275
    Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting content are disclosed. One method can comprise presenting an interface such as a content guide comprising a field relating to content. A selection of one or more of a plurality of filters can be received. A first indicator representing first information can be presented if a first one of the filters is selected, wherein the first information relates to the field. A second indicator representing second information can be presented if a second one of the filters selected, wherein the second information relates to the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Lokesh Kumar, Surendra Goel
  • Patent number: 9819996
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for using fingerprinting techniques on user interfaces, such as source indicators, application indicators, and the like, to determine the source of any given user interface. For example, a source of a user interface may be determined to be a particular console, such as an XBOX console, or a particular application, such as Netflix, a video streaming application. The use of various user interfaces tracked over time may indicate a loss or gain of popularity of a given source corresponding to a given user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul T. Stathacopoulos, Benjamin H. Maughan
  • Patent number: 9794630
    Abstract: A multimedia content processing device for processing multimedia contents implementing a plurality of virtual machines is provided. The device is able to receive encrypted multimedia content, protected by a content protection system, and provide the multimedia content in decrypted form to a user device, including an access controller authorizing the provision of the decrypted multimedia content to the user device, a first securer for executing security services having a first associated level of security and a second securer for executing services having an associated level of security lower than the first level of security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: VIACCESS
    Inventor: Vicente Sanchez-Leighton
  • Patent number: 9756376
    Abstract: Digital video data and digital multiple-audio data are extracted from a source, using a hardware processor in a content source device within a premises. The extracted digital video data is processed for display on a main display device in the premises; and the extracted digital multiple-audio data is processed into a primary soundtrack in a primary language, to be listened to within the premises in synchronization with the displayed extracted digital video data. The primary soundtrack corresponds to the displayed extracted digital video data, in the primary language. The extracted digital multiple-audio data is processed into at least one secondary audio asset, different than the primary soundtrack; and the at least one secondary audio asset is transmitted to a personal media device within the premises, for apprehension by a user of the personal media device in synchronization with the displayed extracted digital video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC
    Inventors: Sherisse Hawkins, Matthew Osminer, Chris Cholas
  • Patent number: 9723337
    Abstract: A distribution control system includes a generating unit configured to generate still image data from content data; a converting unit configured to convert the still image data into video data; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit the video data to a communication terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Kasatani
  • Patent number: 9693116
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclose for processing an object in a video data stream. The method runs on a processor programmed to execute the method and includes but is not limited to receiving input data at the client device for rendering on the client device display a first functional indicator indicating one of a plurality of functions and surrounding a first region of pixel locations representing a first image object in the video data stream; and performing a function indicated by the first functional indicator on meta data for the first image object in the first region of pixel locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Edward A Walter
  • Patent number: 9668010
    Abstract: A method and a system for providing remote set-top box access functions in an Internet browser extension based on advertisement metadata is disclosed. A meta-data tag associated with an advertisement embedded on a currently viewed web page is scanned. It is determined that the meta-data tag is related to entertainment content. A media manipulation action for the entertainment content is determined. A notification that the media manipulation action is available for the entertainment content is displayed. Controls to store the media manipulation action on a user account are provided, and the manipulation action is stored to the user account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Scott White, James Cansler, Charles V. Scott
  • Patent number: 9667443
    Abstract: A data distribution device for stably distributing specific data such as video data is provided. Video distribution device as a data distribution device includes video distribution unit as a specific data distribution unit, video distribution determining unit as a specific data distribution determining unit, and routing setting unit. When video distribution determining unit determines that video distribution unit is distributing video data as the specific data, and when the default route information has been acquired from a second communication device connected to a second network, routing setting unit holds the default route information without changing the default route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Hattori
  • Patent number: 9602889
    Abstract: A main screen renders watermarked content. A remote device captures a watermark and extracts a payload comprising a layout type, displays possible answers according to the layout type and receives a response from a user. The remote device captures a further watermark and extracts a payload comprising a correct answer, a ratio value and a token value. If the correct answer is equal to the answer received from the user, the remote device generates a comparison value, compares the comparison value and a ratio value extracted from the payload and, if the comparison between the comparison value and the ratio value indicates that remote device has been selected, displays a message intended to a user. The remote device can further generate a value from at least the token value and display this value as proof of being selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Eric Diehl
  • Patent number: 9584864
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to present an overlay to be combined with media content during presentation at each of a plurality of computing devices to illustrate a collection of user-generated comments temporally associated with portions of the media content, wherein the portions of the media content comprise portions of a media on demand presentation in an interactive television network, collect the user-generated comments from the plurality of computing devices, identify target portions of the media content that each satisfy a threshold number of comments and non-target portions of the media content that do not satisfy the threshold number of comments, generate comment groups of the user-generated comments, and provide the comment groups to the plurality of computing devices for presentation in the overlay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Linda Roberts, E-Lee Chang, Ja-Young Sung, Natasha Barrett Schultz, Robert King
  • Patent number: 9578374
    Abstract: A system is provided for the provision of DVR playlists. DVR playlists allow for consumers to manage the availability, arrangement, and type of content to be provided from a DVR such that content items are intelligently added, arranged, played back, and deleted via the DVR playlist. Aspects of the system allow playlists to be created by the system, by the consumer, and in co-operation between the system and the consumer. Content items may also be provisioned, such that a DVR playlist limits playback, while still providing variety and consumer choice. Aspects of the system allow for various seed attributes to affect which content items are automatically chosen to comprise the DVR playlist. Content items may be shared amongst user accounts under a subscriber account so that space on a DVR is more efficiently provisioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: COX COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Clark Whitten, Malcolm Eruteya
  • Patent number: 9565397
    Abstract: Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for deterministically skewing transmission of content streams. A content stream comprising one or more video frames is received. The content stream is buffered in a buffer, wherein the buffer allows simultaneous read access to the content stream at a plurality of locations. One or more video frames of the content stream are transmitted from the buffer to a first device associated with a first subscriber beginning at a first location in the buffer based on a first transmission delay parameter. One or more video frames of the content stream are transmitted from the buffer to a second device associated with a second subscriber beginning at a second location in the buffer based on a second transmission delay parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Akamai Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Frink, Michael G. Hluchyj, Santosh Krishnan, Christopher Lawler, Daniel Pond, Robert Ryan, Qin-Fan Zhu
  • Patent number: 9560418
    Abstract: Methods of providing a media file include receiving the media file and an identification of a destination set-top box for the media file at a server device. The received media file is transmitted from the server device to the identified set-top box in an Internet protocol television (IPTV) multimedia format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROEPRTY I, LP
    Inventor: Mahmoud Elbarky
  • Patent number: 9560397
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide apparatus, methods, and systems including an input to receive data associated with a channel viewership of a network; a distribution unit coupled to the input, the distribution unit to determine one or more relative viewership distributions based on the data; and a configuration unit coupled to the distribution unit, the configuration unit to provide one or more reconfiguration settings for one or more reconfigurable servers coupled to the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, LP
    Inventors: Steven Gemelos, Canhui Ou, Zhi Li
  • Patent number: 9516198
    Abstract: A video processing system may include an input for receiving interlaced video data arranged in successive frames each including odd and even fields. A processor may be coupled to the input for determining an improper inversion of the odd and even fields based upon a pair(s) of successive first and second frames each including successive first and second fields. The processor may generate a first difference value(s) based upon a comparison between the first field in the first frame and the second field in the second frame, and a second difference value(s) based upon a comparison between a second field in the first frame and the first field in the second frame. The processor may determine an improper inversion of the odd and even fields based upon a comparison of the first difference value(s) and the second difference value(s) for the pair(s) of successive first and second frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Imagine Communications Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph Deschamp, Mihai Petrescu
  • Patent number: 9509936
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of browsing content and in particular, to an apparatus and method of browsing content that allows a user to easily browse desired content An apparatus for browsing content according to an aspect of the invention includes an apparatus including a metadata storage unit storing information on content, which is classified according to a first classification basis, a second classification basis, and a third classification basis, a browsing-guide-generation unit generating a browsing guide with the first classification basis and the second classification basis as axes, and arranging the generated browsing guide with the third classification basis as an axis, and an output unit outputting the browsing guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang-Wook Park, Jong-Ho Lea, Ju-Hwan Lee, Ji-Hye Chung
  • Patent number: 9503768
    Abstract: A content transmission selection system is disclosed. The content transmission selection system receives requests from viewers for specific video content items. Using characteristics of the designated content item, the content transmission selection system determines whether to transmit the content item over a broadcast network or a broadband network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: James H Gray, Robert A. Koch
  • Patent number: 9497420
    Abstract: A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to receive broadcast relevant data, a controller configured to acquire identification information identifying image data matching a broadcast content from the received broadcast relevant data if a broadcast content purchase mode is entered to purchase the broadcast content, and a display configured to display the image data identified by the identification information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yong Chan Jeong, Kwang Hun Choi
  • Patent number: 9449324
    Abstract: A TV with various licensable components including, e.g., an ATSC demodulator requests a license for a component upon detection of a physical condition implicating use of the component, such as plugging a cable into a particular port, or upon receipt of a user-input command requiring use of the component, such as a request to autoscan channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Shintani, Aran Sadja, Theodore R. Booth, Ludovic Douillet