Patents by Inventor Brad Dietrich

Brad Dietrich has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20100074600
    Abstract: A networked personal video recording (“PVR”) system couples a plurality of clients to one or more PVR media servers over a network. One or more PVR media servers include television tuners to tune television signals. A storage medium buffers the television signals to implement PVR functionality. For example, the PVR media server records television programs for clients. Clients are assigned to television tuners, and the clients display television programs received at the assigned tuner. The network transfers the buffered television signals to the clients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Daniel Putterman, Brad Dietrich, Jeremy Toeman, Pedro Freitas, Ludovic Legrand, Shawn McCaffrey, James Grimm, Lijia Jin, Panl Novaes
  • Publication number: 20090307658
    Abstract: A user interface is implemented on a client device remote from a host device. The host device operates an application program that implements a user interface, such as an electronic programming guide or a guide for a personal video recorder, that permits a user to control at least one target device. The host device transfers to the client device an identification of at least one scene. In general, a scene defines an abstract layout for at least one screen display of the user interface. The client device generates at least one screen display for the scene based on its interpretation of the scene. The client device then displays the screen as an implementation of the user interface. Thereafter, a user initiates, using the client device, an operation to control the target device. In response, the target device performs the operation. The host device may also display information at a client device. For example, the host device may transmit information about a media currently playing at the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Pedro Freitas, Daniel Putterman, Jeremy Toeman, Brad Dietrich
  • Patent number: 7603022
    Abstract: A networked personal video recording (“PVR”) system couples a plurality of clients to one or more PVR media servers over a network. One or more PVR media servers include television tuners to tune television signals. A storage medium buffers the television signals to implement PVR functionality. For example, the PVR media server records television programs for clients. Clients are assigned to television tuners, and the clients display television programs received at the assigned tuner. The network transfers the buffered television signals to the clients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Macrovision Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Putterman, Brad Dietrich, Jeremy Toeman, Pedro Freitas, Ludovic Legrand, Shawn McCaffrey, James Grimm, Lijia Jin, Paul Novaes
  • Patent number: 7574723
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method is described. The method includes receiving a request at a control module from a first remote device to access media data from a storage management module and determining that a first user is requesting access to the data based upon a first remote identification (ID). The method further includes opening a second stream between the playback module and the storage management module and receiving the data at the playback module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Macrovision Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Putterman, Brad Dietrich, David Williams, Jeremy Toeman, Michael Shiloh, Keith Craigie, John Doornbos, Paul Novaes, Song Huang, Terry Barsoom, Pedro Freitas
  • Patent number: 7574691
    Abstract: A user interface is implemented on a client device remote from a host device. The host device operates an application program that implements a user interface, such as an electronic programming guide or a guide for a personal video recorder, that permits a user to control at least one target device. The host device transfers to the client device an identification of at least one scene. In general, a scene defines an abstract layout for at least one screen display of the user interface. The client device generates at least one screen display for the scene based on its interpretation of the scene. The client device then displays the screen as an implementation of the user interface. Thereafter, a user initiates, using the client device, an operation to control the target device. In response, the target device performs the operation. The host device may also display information at a client device. For example, the host device may transmit information about a media currently playing at the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Macrovision Corporation
    Inventors: Pedro Freitas, Daniel Putterman, Jeremy Toeman, Brad Dietrich
  • Publication number: 20090034935
    Abstract: A networked personal video recording (“PVR”) system couples a plurality of clients to one or more PVR media servers over a network. One or more PVR media servers include television tuners to tune television signals. A storage medium buffers the television signals to implement PVR functionality. For example, the PVR media server records television programs for clients. Clients are assigned to television tuners, and the clients display television programs received at the assigned tuner. The network transfers the buffered television signals to the clients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Daniel Putterman, Brad Dietrich, Jeremy Toeman, Pedro Freitas, Ludovic Legrand, Shawn McCaffrey, James Grimm, Lijia Jin, Paul Novaes
  • Patent number: 7457511
    Abstract: A networked personal video recording (“PVR”) system couples a plurality of clients to one or more PVR media servers over a network. One or more PVR media servers include television tuners to tune television signals. A storage medium buffers the television signals to implement PVR functionality. For example, the PVR media server records television programs for clients. Clients are assigned to television tuners, and the clients display television programs received at the assigned tuner. The network transfers the buffered television signals to the clients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Macrovision Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Putterman, Brad Dietrich, Jeremy Toeman, Pedro Freitas, Ludovic Legrand, Shawn McCaffrey, James Grimm, Lijia Jin, Paul Novaes
  • Patent number: 7454120
    Abstract: A networked personal video recording (“PVR”) system couples a plurality of clients to one or more PVR media servers over a network. One or more PVR media servers include television tuners to tune television signals. A storage medium buffers the television signals to implement PVR functionality. For example, the PVR media server records television programs for clients. Clients are assigned to television tuners, and the clients display television programs received at the assigned tuner. The network transfers the buffered television signals to the clients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Macrovision Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Putterman, Brad Dietrich, Jeremy Toeman, Pedro Freitas, Ludovic Legrand, Shawn McCaffrey, James Grimm, Lijia Jin, Paul Novaes
  • Publication number: 20070220580
    Abstract: A user interface for a media convergence platform is disclosed. The television based user interface presents different types of media within a single user interface. The user interface displays, on a television display, selectable items to represent a music application, a photo albums application, a video application, and an Internet content application. The user selects an item displayed on the television display to invoke an application. The music application permits a user to select music available within the media convergence platform, and to playback the music through a device in the media convergence platform. The photo albums application permits a user to select one or more photos available within the media convergence platform, and to view the photos through a device in the media convergence platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Daniel Putterman, Brad Dietrich, Pedro Freitas, Jeremy Toeman, John Doornbos, Paul Novaes, Keith Craigie, Anne Swabb, David Williams
  • Publication number: 20070220024
    Abstract: A media system includes at least a source media device and a playback media device coupled through a network. The source media device presents media to the network. The media comprises at least one digital content file with a first format. A playback media device plays back digital content files formatted in a second format. A transcoder, also coupled to the network, converts the first format of the digital content file to a second format. In one embodiment, the transcoder comprises a device separate from the source media device and the playback media device. In another embodiment, the transcoder comprises a device integrated with the source media device. The playback device receives the digital content file, formatted in the second format, over the network, and processes the digital content file in the second format to generate processed signals. The processed signals drive the playback device to play the digital content file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Daniel Putterman, Brad Dietrich
  • Publication number: 20070211174
    Abstract: Media content is received in a windows management application. The media content is from a set of content including zero or more television signal content and zero or more application content. The media content is incorporated into a television signal containing a window configuration. The television signal is then sent from the windows management application to a television where it is displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Daniel Putterman, Brad Dietrich, Gregory Peters, Richard Bullwinkle
  • Publication number: 20070214481
    Abstract: An applications registry provides a repository of television-based applications. The registry stores information about television-based applications registered, and allows users to view information regarding the registered television-based applications through one or more portals. The information includes a general description of the television-based applications, a description of an entitlement model for the television-based applications, and downloading information to permit a user to download the application to the home media system. The user accesses the registry, to view information about the television-based application, through a home media system. The home media system, which includes a television, accesses the portal over a network, such as the Internet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Daniel Putterman, Brad Dietrich, Gregory Peters, Richard Bullwinkle
  • Publication number: 20070210908
    Abstract: A system to convey user alert messages is disclosed. The system may have a alert service coupled between alert providers and a number of households. After receiving in the alert service an alert message from an alert provider, the alert service may alter the alert message to identify the household designated to receive the alert message. The alert service sends a notification to a home media system within the household designated to receive the alert message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Daniel Putterman, Gregory Peters, Richard Bullwinkle, Kim Dykeman, Brad Dietrich
  • Publication number: 20070147351
    Abstract: A system for distributing media includes a wide area network (WAN), a media player coupled to the WAN at a first home, and a media server coupled to the WAN at a second home for providing media. A service is coupled to the WAN for receiving a request for media from the media player and for establishing a connection between the first and second homes over the WAN. Media is streamed across the WAN from the second home to the first home. The system may include a storage device coupled to the media player where media is transferred across the WAN for storage at the storage device. A media device may be coupled to the media player for playing the streamed/transferred media where the media player and the media device may comprise a television, stereo, or computer and the media item may comprise video, photographs, or audio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Brad Dietrich, Daniel Putterman, Gregory Peters, Richard Bullwinkle
  • Patent number: 7213228
    Abstract: A user interface, operating on a display client, for an application program, operating on a remote computer, is implemented such that the division of functionality between the application program and the user interface does not require the application program to possess information regarding the display capabilities of the display client. The remote computer transfers, to the display computer, an identification of a scene for a user interface of the application program. The scene defines an abstract layout for a screen display of the user interface. The user interface receives input from a user (e.g., the user selects a menu item from the user interface). The input event is interpreted, and data is generated based on the interpretation of the input event. The display client interprets the scene, and the data, based on the display capabilities of the display client. Based on this interpretation, the display client generates a display scene and display data for the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Macrovision Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Putterman, Brad Dietrich, John Doornbos, Pedro Freitas
  • Publication number: 20050005300
    Abstract: A networked personal video recording (“PVR”) system couples a plurality of clients to one or more PVR media servers over a network. One or more PVR media servers include television tuners to tune television signals. A storage medium buffers the television signals to implement PVR functionality. For example, the PVR media server records television programs for clients. Clients are assigned to television tuners, and the clients display television programs received at the assigned tuner. The network transfers the buffered television signals to the clients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Daniel Putterman, Brad Dietrich, Jeremy Toeman, Pedro Freitas, Ludovic Legrand, Shawn McCaffrey, James Grimm, Lijia Jin, Paul Novaes
  • Publication number: 20050002638
    Abstract: A networked personal video recording (“PVR”) system couples a plurality of clients to one or more PVR media servers over a network. One or more PVR media servers include television tuners to tune television signals. A storage medium buffers the television signals to implement PVR functionality. For example, the PVR media server records television programs for clients. Clients are assigned to television tuners, and the clients display television programs received at the assigned tuner. The network transfers the buffered television signals to the clients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Daniel Putterman, Brad Dietrich, Jeremy Toeman, Pedro Freitas, Ludovic Legrand, Shawn McCaffrey, James Grimm, Lijia Jin, Paul Novaes
  • Publication number: 20050002639
    Abstract: A networked personal video recording (“PVR”) system couples a plurality of clients to one or more PVR media servers over a network. One or more PVR media servers include television tuners to tune television signals. A storage medium buffers the television signals to implement PVR functionality. For example, the PVR media server records television programs for clients. Clients are assigned to television tuners, and the clients display television programs received at the assigned tuner. The network transfers the buffered television signals to the clients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Daniel Putterman, Brad Dietrich, Jeremy Toeman, Pedro Freitas, Ludovic Legrand, Shawn McCaffrey, James Grimm, Lijia Jin, Paul Novaes
  • Publication number: 20050002640
    Abstract: A networked personal video recording (“PVR”) system couples a plurality of clients to one or more PVR media servers over a network. One or more PVR media servers include television tuners to tune television signals. A storage medium buffers the television signals to implement PVR functionality. For example, the PVR media server records television programs for clients. Clients are assigned to television tuners, and the clients display television programs received at the assigned tuner. The network transfers the buffered television signals to the clients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Daniel Putterman, Brad Dietrich, Jeremy Toeman, Pedro Freitas, Ludovic Legrand, Shawn McCaffrey, James Grimm, Lijia Jin, Paul Novaes
  • Publication number: 20040183756
    Abstract: A user interface is implemented on a client device remote from a host device. The host device operates an application program that implements a user interface, such as an electronic programming guide or a guide for a personal video recorder, that permits a user to control at least one target device. The host device transfers to the client device an identification of at least one scene. In general, a scene defines an abstract layout for at least one screen display of the user interface. The client device generates at least one screen display for the scene based on its interpretation of the scene. The client device then displays the screen as an implementation of the user interface. Thereafter, a user initiates, using the client device, an operation to control the target device. In response, the target device performs the operation. The host device may also display information at a client device. For example, the host device may transmit information about a media currently playing at the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Pedro Freitas, Daniel Putterman, Jeremy Toeman, Brad Dietrich