Patents by Inventor Danny J. Minnick
Danny J. Minnick 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: 20240040195Abstract: Embodiments detect updates to digital video broadcast (DVB) service information (SI), and forcing off-schedule updates to local meta-programming data (MPD) of a customer premises appliance in response to the update, where appropriate. For example, embodiments detect an SI update for at least one DVB content service being provided via a DVB network and determine whether a stream update descriptor in the SI is asserted. Detected assertion triggers an automatic off-schedule MPD update, including assigning a tuner to obtain updated provider MPD via an MPD service, and rebuilding local MPD based on the updated provider MPD. The local MPD is usable by the customer premises appliance to populate a meta-programming user interface (e.g., an electronic program guide) by which to display descriptive information about at least some of the plurality of DVB content services.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Alan Terry Pattison, Danny J. Minnick
-
Patent number: 11825163Abstract: Embodiments detect updates to digital video broadcast (DVB) service information (SI), and forcing off-schedule updates to local meta-programming data (MPD) of a customer premises appliance in response to the update, where appropriate. For example, embodiments detect an SI update for at least one DVB content service being provided via a DVB network and determine whether a stream update descriptor in the SI is asserted. Detected assertion triggers an automatic off-schedule MPD update, including assigning a tuner to obtain updated provider MPD via an MPD service, and rebuilding local MPD based on the updated provider MPD. The local MPD is usable by the customer premises appliance to populate a meta-programming user interface (e.g., an electronic program guide) by which to display descriptive information about at least some of the plurality of DVB content services.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: DISH Network L.L.C.Inventors: Alan Terry Pattison, Danny J. Minnick
-
Publication number: 20230188780Abstract: Improved technical functionality is provided to dynamically select and seamlessly play advertisements immediately before playing of a recorded program upon selection of the recorded program for playing, or upon other detected events and conditions associated with the set-top-box (STB) or user. In some embodiments, this is performed by using metadata which may be delivered to and stored on a digital video recorder (DVR) prior to recording the program, providing a technical solution to enable opportunities for additional advertisement impressions. Playing of the advertisement may also or instead occur upon the recorded program finishing playing. Thus, the technical solution provides the additional opportunity for the content creator and/or the satellite television or cable service provider to sell advertising spots in addition to those already sold for breaks within the recorded program.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2023Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: Danny J. Minnick, Robert F. Percival, John D. Barbieri, Mark Templeman, John S. Todd, Yunfeng Yang, Gowtham Ram Ramkumar
-
Publication number: 20230176617Abstract: A mobile device includes a first display portion, a second display portion and a graphics processor. The first display portion is viewable while the second display portion is obscured when the mobile device is in a retracted configuration. Both display portions are viewable when the mobile device is in an expanded configuration. The graphics processor may be coupled to each display portion and configured to generate a first image for display on: the first display portion when the mobile device is in the retracted configuration; at least one of the display portions while the mobile device is in the expanded configuration; and at least one of the display portions while the mobile device transitions between the retracted configuration and the expanded configuration. The second display portion may be a flexible display material, such as an OLED display and with the first display portion may be a single sheet OLED display.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2022Publication date: June 8, 2023Applicant: DISH Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: David A. Kummer, Danny J. Minnick
-
Patent number: 11606599Abstract: Improved technical functionality is provided to dynamically select and seamlessly play advertisements immediately before playing of a recorded program upon selection of the recorded program for playing, or upon other detected events and conditions associated with the set-top-box (STB) or user. In some embodiments, this is performed by using metadata which may be delivered to and stored on a digital video recorder (DVR) prior to recording the program, providing a technical solution to enable opportunities for additional advertisement impressions. Playing of the advertisement may also or instead occur upon the recorded program finishing playing. Thus, the technical solution provides the additional opportunity for the content creator and/or the satellite television or cable service provider to sell advertising spots in addition to those already sold for breaks within the recorded program.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: DISH NETWORK, L.L.C.Inventors: Danny J. Minnick, Robert F. Percival, John D. Barbieri, Mark Templeman, John S. Todd, Yunfeng Yang, Gowtham Ram Ramkumar
-
Publication number: 20220337916Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, apparatus, and/or methods are described for presenting relevant programming information. A viewing action of an audiovisual event is detected on a receiving device. Data associated with the viewed audiovisual event is then retrieved. The retrieved data includes at least receiving device information and audiovisual event information. The retrieved data is then stored in a historical viewing database, and at least one scoring table is generated from the data in the historical viewing database. Programming information for a plurality of candidate audiovisual events that are available to be viewed is then organized based at least in part on the at least one scoring table and a selected time, and the organized programming information is output to a presentation device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Inventors: Jay P. Carlson, Danny J. Minnick
-
Publication number: 20220321958Abstract: Embodiments detect updates to digital video broadcast (DVB) service information (SI), and forcing off-schedule updates to local meta-programming data (MPD) of a customer premises appliance in response to the update, where appropriate. For example, embodiments detect an SI update for at least one DVB content service being provided via a DVB network and determine whether a stream update descriptor in the SI is asserted. Detected assertion triggers an automatic off-schedule MPD update, including assigning a tuner to obtain updated provider MPD via an MPD service, and rebuilding local MPD based on the updated provider MPD. The local MPD is usable by the customer premises appliance to populate a meta-programming user interface (e.g., an electronic program guide) by which to display descriptive information about at least some of the plurality of DVB content services.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2021Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: Alan Terry Pattison, Danny J. Minnick
-
Patent number: 11425459Abstract: A computerized system for guaranteed advertisement impressions recognizes an identifier of a media content segment (e.g., an advertisement) to be played before playing of a recorded program as a result of selection of or initiation of playing a recorded program. In some embodiments, the system recognizes an identifier of a media content segment at or during initiation of playing the of the media content segment, or during playback of a media content stream including a recorded program. In in response to the recognition of the identifier, the system ignores (or disables the remote control sending), for a predetermined time period, all commands to skip or fast forward through all or part of the media content segment.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: DISH Network L.L.C.Inventor: Danny J. Minnick
-
Patent number: 11416031Abstract: A mobile device includes a first display portion, a second display portion and a graphics processor. The first display portion is viewable while the second display portion is obscured when the mobile device is in a retracted configuration. Both display portions are viewable when the mobile device is in an expanded configuration. The graphics processor may be coupled to each display portion and configured to generate a first image for display on: the first display portion when the mobile device is in the retracted configuration; at least one of the display portions while the mobile device is in the expanded configuration; and at least one of the display portions while the mobile device transitions between the retracted configuration and the expanded configuration. The second display portion may be a flexible display material, such as an OLED display and with the first display portion may be a single sheet OLED display.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2021Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: DISH Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: David A. Kummer, Danny J. Minnick
-
Patent number: 11405692Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, apparatus, and/or methods are described for presenting relevant programming information. A viewing action of an audiovisual event is detected on a receiving device. Data associated with the viewed audiovisual event is then retrieved. The retrieved data includes at least receiving device information and audiovisual event information. The retrieved data is then stored in a historical viewing database, and at least one scoring table is generated from the data in the historical viewing database. Programming information for a plurality of candidate audiovisual events that are available to be viewed is then organized based at least in part on the at least one scoring table and a selected time, and the organized programming information is output to a presentation device.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: DISH Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Jay P. Carlson, Danny J. Minnick
-
Publication number: 20210392396Abstract: Improved technical functionality is provided to dynamically select and seamlessly play advertisements immediately before playing of a recorded program upon selection of the recorded program for playing, or upon other detected events and conditions associated with the set-top-box (STB) or user. In some embodiments, this is performed by using metadata which may be delivered to and stored on a digital video recorder (DVR) prior to recording the program, providing a technical solution to enable opportunities for additional advertisement impressions. Playing of the advertisement may also or instead occur upon the recorded program finishing playing. Thus, the technical solution provides the additional opportunity for the content creator and/or the satellite television or cable service provider to sell advertising spots in addition to those already sold for breaks within the recorded program.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2020Publication date: December 16, 2021Inventors: Danny J. Minnick, Robert F. Percival, John D. Barbieri, Mark Templeman, John S. Todd, Yunfeng Yang, Gowtham Ram Ramkumar
-
Publication number: 20210377597Abstract: A computerized system for guaranteed advertisement impressions recognizes an identifier of a media content segment (e.g., an advertisement) to be played before playing of a recorded program as a result of selection of or initiation of playing a recorded program. In some embodiments, the system recognizes an identifier of a media content segment at or during initiation of playing the of the media content segment, or during playback of a media content stream including a recorded program. In in response to the recognition of the identifier, the system ignores (or disables the remote control sending), for a predetermined time period, all commands to skip or fast forward through all or part of the media content segment.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2020Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventor: Danny J. Minnick
-
Publication number: 20210173445Abstract: A mobile device includes a first display portion, a second display portion and a graphics processor. The first display portion is viewable while the second display portion is obscured when the mobile device is in a retracted configuration. Both display portions are viewable when the mobile device is in an expanded configuration. The graphics processor may be coupled to each display portion and configured to generate a first image for display on: the first display portion when the mobile device is in the retracted configuration; at least one of the display portions while the mobile device is in the expanded configuration; and at least one of the display portions while the mobile device transitions between the retracted configuration and the expanded configuration. The second display portion may be a flexible display material, such as an OLED display and with the first display portion may be a single sheet OLED display.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2021Publication date: June 10, 2021Applicant: DISH Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: David A. Kummer, Danny J. Minnick
-
Publication number: 20200275157Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, apparatus, and/or methods are described for presenting relevant programming information. A viewing action of an audiovisual event is detected on a receiving device. Data associated with the viewed audiovisual event is then retrieved. The retrieved data includes at least receiving device information and audiovisual event information. The retrieved data is then stored in a historical viewing database, and at least one scoring table is generated from the data in the historical viewing database. Programming information for a plurality of candidate audiovisual events that are available to be viewed is then organized based at least in part on the at least one scoring table and a selected time, and the organized programming information is output to a presentation device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2020Publication date: August 27, 2020Inventors: Jay P. Carlson, Danny J. Minnick
-
Patent number: 10755085Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a mechanism for a computer user to seamlessly and readily access information that may be supplied by a number of different sources.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2019Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: DISH Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Danny J. Minnick, Christopher Boyd Tirpak
-
Publication number: 20200186889Abstract: Described are systems and methods for providing improved indoor reception of OTA (Over-the-Air) broadcast signals. The systems described include antenna systems with one or more network interfaces for providing a transport stream received by an antenna to a network.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2020Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: Edmund Petruzzelli, Danny J. Minnick
-
Publication number: 20200177961Abstract: A first index to a media content item and a second index to the media content item are stored on a media device. Each first index specifies a location in the media content item at which user input was received to skip a portion of the media content item. Each second index specifies a location in the media content item at which user input was received to resume playback of the media content item. A skip start index for the media content item is identified based on the first indexes. A skip end index for the media content item is identified based on the second indexes. A request for playback of an instance of the media content item is received. The instance of the media content item can be played skipping a portion of the instance of the media content item between the skip start and skip end indexes.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2020Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventor: Danny J. Minnick
-
Patent number: 10674214Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, apparatus, and/or methods are described for presenting relevant programming information. A viewing action of an audiovisual event is detected on a receiving device. Data associated with the viewed audiovisual event is then retrieved. The retrieved data includes at least receiving device information and audiovisual event information. The retrieved data is then stored in a historical viewing database, and at least one scoring table is generated from the data in the historical viewing database. Programming information for a plurality of candidate audiovisual events that are available to be viewed is then organized based at least in part on the at least one scoring table and a selected time, and the organized programming information is output to a presentation device.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2015Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: Dish Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Jay P. Carlson, Danny J. Minnick
-
Patent number: 10659834Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide various techniques for backing up and restoring data and programs at television receiver devices. In some embodiments, various types of data stored locally by television receiver devices may be backed up by uploading the data to a television provider server, cloud-based storage system, and/or other remote storage locations. In the event of a device failure, or other rebuilt or reinstallation process at the television receiver, a receiver set-up process may be implemented to retrieve the receiver backup data from the backup server, and to initiate various set-up processes in which the replacement receiver may use the backup data to implement the various configuration preferences and settings on the new device, re-create the DVR timers, establish new network connections, configure the home device/appliance settings, and the like, automatically based on the receiver backup data.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2019Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: DISH Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Keith Gerhards, Danny J. Minnick
-
Patent number: 10609456Abstract: Described are systems and methods for providing improved indoor reception of OTA (Over-the-Air) broadcast signals. The systems described include antenna systems with one or more network interfaces for providing a transport stream received by an antenna to a network.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2016Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: DISH Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Edmund Petruzzelli, Danny J. Minnick