Patents Examined by Jonathan V. Lewis
  • Patent number: 8713616
    Abstract: A digital broadcasting system and a method for processing data in the same are disclosed. A method for controlling a digital television (DTV) located in one independent space among a plurality of independent spaces physically separated from one another is disclosed. The method includes receiving display type information from a compact wireless device, wherein the display type information is type information of data capable of being processed by the compact wireless device, transmitting the received display type information to a management server, receiving general additional information and additional information dependent on the display type information from the management server, and controlling the general additional information to be displayed on the DTV and transmitting the additional information dependent on the display type information to the compact wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Tae Wook Kim, Sang Rea Woo
  • Patent number: 8713608
    Abstract: A system for presenting media services is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a portal having a controller element to detect an installation of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media receiver in an IPTV media system and adapt at least a portion of the portal according to the installation. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventor: Scott White
  • Patent number: 8701144
    Abstract: A digital broadcasting system and a method for processing data in the same are disclosed. A method for controlling a digital television (DTV) located in one independent space among a plurality of independent spaces physically separated from one another is disclosed. The method includes receiving a broadcast signal from a management server, processing the received broadcast signal using a hospitality middleware platform embedded in the DTV, and outputting audio/video (A/V) data on the basis of the processed broadcast signal. The hospitality middleware platform may include a switching layer for switching a first layer for processing a broadcast signal based on a broadcast standard of a first region and a second layer for processing a broadcast signal based on a broadcast standard of a second region, a flexible Digital Rights Management (DRM) layer capable of being voluntarily modified, and a downloadable engine layer capable of voluntarily programming an interactive service application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Changho Shin, Sangrea Woo, Jangsun Choi
  • Patent number: 8677425
    Abstract: The present invention provides a Set-Top Box, a home gateway, and a method and a system for implementing interaction between the Set-Top Box and the home gateway, and the method comprises: the Set-Top Box transmitting a subscription message to the home gateway by means of a UPnP protocol message; the home gateway receiving and parsing the subscription message, combining a subscription response event according to the parsed subscription information, and then transmitting the subscription response event to the Set-Top Box by means of a UPnP protocol message; and the Set-Top Box triggering a corresponding operation according to a subscription response event message, after receiving the subscription response event message. The flexible coordination between the home gateway and the Set-Top Box can be implemented in accordance with the present invention, which can achieve the purposes of automatic diagnosis and automatic adjustment of services, and improve the user experience effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventors: Baolin He, Xinying Liu
  • Patent number: 8677436
    Abstract: It is the object of the present invention to provide a stereoscopic video distribution system, a stereoscopic video distribution method, a stereoscopic video distribution apparatus, a stereoscopic video viewing system, a stereoscopic video viewing method, and a stereoscopic video viewing apparatus. In the stereoscopic video distribution system according to this invention, stereoscopic video signals provided by a plurality of video distribution source servers for distributing stereoscopic videos are once received by a transcoding server, so that the stereoscopic video signals can be reproduced by a BD player and a TV for stereoscopic viewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electronic Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Nagasawa, Yuichiro Haruyama
  • Patent number: 8667539
    Abstract: This invention enables Scanable Icons, which may be predetermined graphical images, and similar encoded information to be applied to video systems in a manner that is user-friendly and brings many of the advantages of easy information access and management to the video environment. The optical path normally required when using such encoded information is avoided. Supplementary information, including more details for advertisements, is provided in a non-invasive manner, allowing the user to access the supplementary information at convenient times and locations. The Scanable Icon adds a symbol to the existing advertisement without increasing its duration. Advertising is made substantially more effective for the advertiser and more useful for the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Shifters, LLC
    Inventors: Ted Elliott Hartson, Elijah Ethan Brown, Walter Stanley Ciciora
  • Patent number: 8661474
    Abstract: A mobile terminal and digital broadcast receiving method thereof are disclosed, by which complicated procedures for digital broadcast reception in a mobile communication terminal can be simplified for user's convenience. The method according to an embodiment includes recognizing a number inputted via an input unit of the terminal in a standby mode, deciding whether a broadcast channel mapped by the inputted number exists in a memory, reading broadcast information for the broadcast channel mapped by the inputted number from digital multimedia service data and then displaying the broadcast information on a prescribed area of a display unit, and if a control signal for a digital broadcast reception is inputted while the broadcast information for the broadcast channel is displayed, entering a digital broadcast receiving mode of the broadcast channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Chan Young Moon
  • Patent number: 8650597
    Abstract: A home network system and a method of recording broadcasting content thereof are provided, and includes requesting, by the mobile terminal, the server to send the broadcasting content; receiving, by the server, the broadcasting content from a broadcasting station and sending the received broadcasting content to the mobile terminal; displaying, by the mobile terminal, the received broadcasting content; requesting, if the displaying of the broadcasting content is interrupted, by the mobile terminal, the server to record the interrupted broadcasting content; and recording, by the server, the broadcasting content from an interrupted time point of the broadcasting content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: In Ho Park, Kyoung Don Nam
  • Patent number: 8631440
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a search request related to media programming and generating a search. The result has a list of one or more collections of episodes responsive to the search request, and a schedule grid displaying a plurality of episodes on a plurality of different channels for a time period, including at least one program responsive to the search request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Gossweiler, III, Mehran Sahami, Manish G. Patel, John Blackburn, David A. Brown, Neha Gupta, Thomas H. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8621516
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing travel information associated with a presently viewed media content event. An exemplary method receives a selection for a media content event, receives a media content stream corresponding to the selected media content event, communicates the selected media content event to a media presentation device, communicates to the media presentation device a travel indicator during communication of the media content event, receives a user selection associated with the travel indicator, and presents travel information to the user based on the received user selection. The travel information is based on an analysis of content of the EPG information. The media content event is paused after receiving the user selection of the travel indicator. The travel information associated with the media content event is saved after receiving the user selection of the travel indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Darius Napigkit
  • Patent number: 8613008
    Abstract: A system comprising, at least one processor, at least one eye tracking system electronically connected to the at least one processor, at least one means for electronically connecting a display device to the system, wherein the means for electronically connecting a display device is electronically connected to the at least one processor, and computer executable instructions readable by the at least one processor and operative to use the at least one eye tracking system to determine the number of persons that are capable of viewing at least one display device electronically connected to the system, and control the content displayed on at least one display device connected to the system based on how many persons are determined to be capable of viewing the at least one display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Isaac Sayo Daniel
  • Patent number: 8601520
    Abstract: In the wireless HDMI converter, appropriate audio data input switching is performed, and, when an instruction is received, an audio data extraction unit extracts audio data from video and audio data received by an HDMI input interface from an STB, and an optical audio output interface outputs the extracted audio data to a home theater, thereby avoiding failure of wireless communication by a wireless interface or deterioration of the quality of such wireless communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Junji Yoshida, Makoto Funabiki, Tetsuya Sato
  • Patent number: 8584177
    Abstract: A method of controlling delivery of video programs from video distribution equipment to video receiver devices includes receiving messages at the video distribution equipment from a mobile terminal operated by a user. The messages contain user defined identifiers that are associated with equipment identifiers of different ones of the video receiver devices. The user defined identifiers are stored associated with the equipment identifiers in a subscriber account. Delivery of video programs from the video distribution equipment to the video receiver devices is controlled in response to commands received from the mobile terminal which request delivery of identified video programs to identified ones of the user defined identifiers. Related video distribution equipment and mobile terminals are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ericsson Television Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Dasher, Chris Phillips
  • Patent number: 8578422
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for selecting services in a television system using graphical indications displayed on a screen. The invention comprises in particular the steps of: (a) determining a first list (30) of services, the first list being a subset of a second list; (b) displaying at least a part of the first list, ordered according to a predetermined criterion; (c) selecting a service present in the second list, but not in the first list; (d) displaying a visual indicator (39) marking the relative location, according to the predetermined criterion, of the selected service in the first list (30). The invention also relates to the terminal for the implementation of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: William Renault, René Gauthier, Sandra Jensen
  • Patent number: 8544054
    Abstract: A system and method for optimizing pairing between a remote device and a plurality of devices including establishing a list of pairing-capable devices, the list comprising a portion of the plurality of devices, measuring a plurality of link qualities between the remote device and the pairing-capable devices, comparing, with a processor, the plurality of link qualities with one another and determining a highest link quality, selecting, by a computing device, an available pairing-capable device having the highest link quality, pairing with the selected device, and controlling a presentation device, the controlling including checking if the selected device is the associated device and where the selected device is not the associated device, relaying commands via the network to the associated device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: William R. Reams, Christopher W. Bruhn
  • Patent number: 8539535
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting video on demand requests in a system supporting hierarchical content stores, e.g., program caches, is described. Requested content is requested by a local streaming device from a remote cache when it is not available in a local cache. Content, e.g., I, P and B frames, supplied by the remote cache is tracked and content delivery is initiated prior to receipt of the full program from the remote content store. Trick play content is requested as needed from the remote content store to respond to trick play commands. Frames which are received as part of the trick play content stream are tracked and not included in normal play data subsequently obtained from the remote cache. The storage of the trick play data along with subsequent normal play data results in a full set of the program content being received and stored in a local cache for streaming in response to a VOD request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventor: Charles Hasek
  • Patent number: 8522291
    Abstract: A video playback device, provided in a P2P-based network, comprises a channel pre-cached buffer, for storing a plurality of video blocks corresponding to a number of pre-cached channels; a display interface, for receiving a request for channel browsing from a viewer and executing playback of the video blocks pertaining to a selected channel indicated on the request; and an agent module, for receiving the request for channel browsing from the display interface, obtaining a seed/peer list pertaining to the selected channel indicated on the request, and downloading the video blocks from seed and/or peer nodes based on the seed/peer list; characterized in that the agent module applies an automatic refreshing mechanism for updating the corresponding video blocks to each pre-cached channel by supplying the most updated video blocks in the channel pre-cached buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: AVerMedia Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Cheng-Fu Chou, Han-wu Chou, Cheng-sean Chen
  • Patent number: 8499322
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, a system and an apparatus for hiding programs. With the technology solution, which involves obtaining a sub-EPG identifier, receiving a total EPG, which contains sub-EPG identifiers and sub-EPGs each of which corresponds to one of the sub-EPG identifiers and which is transmitted by a central front end, searching the received total EPG for a sub-EPG corresponding to the obtained sub-EPG identifier and hiding programs based on the found sub-EPG. With technology solution, the program hiding is realized, and the regional program hiding and the programs hiding from particular subscribers may be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Huawei Device Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jian Wang
  • Patent number: 8473990
    Abstract: A video controller broadcasts input video through a premises media, such as a coaxial cable to one or more premises televisions or television channels. When a PC provides the input video, a mode change may occur to direct the video to the PC monitor or to the broadcast output. The video resolution of the PC is set to provide a desired digital television resolution with broadcast video. An audio driver may be used to provide USB audio output from the PC. When the PC monitor or broadcast output is selected for video output, the non-selected output is disabled or provided with a video indication that another video output is active. An EDID can be captured from the PC or PC monitor to assist with mode changes and setting PC video resolution. The input video may be provided directly from a digital video source and broadcast to selected televisions or channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Zeevee, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Greene, Victor Odryna, Stephen D. Metzger, Clifton E. Smith, David J. Feng, Preston C. Shimer, Jeremy L. Mordkoff, Oscar Purwin, Jeffrey Bacon
  • Patent number: 8468566
    Abstract: A method of communicating control information in a satellite broadcast communication system is presented. In the method, at least one copy of a control message set is transmitted from a control system by way of a satellite to a broadcast receiver. The control message set includes at least one control message. At least one copy of each of the control messages of the control message set is received at the broadcast receiver. A feedback message is transmitted from the broadcast receiver by way of a terrestrial communication link to the control system. The feedback message includes an indication that all of control messages of the control message set were received at the broadcast receiver. The feedback message is received at the control system. In response to receiving the feedback message, transmission of subsequent copies of the control message set is terminated at the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Nicholas Brandon Newell