Patents by Inventor Nathan Hale

Nathan Hale 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: 20120173238
    Abstract: One embodiment may take the form of a voice control system. The system may include a first apparatus with a processing unit configured to execute a voice recognition module and one or more executable commands, and a receiver coupled to the processing unit and configured to receive a first audio file from a remote control device. The first audio file may include at least one voice command. The first apparatus may further include a communication component coupled to the processing unit and configured to receive programming content, and one or more storage media storing the voice recognition module. The voice recognition module may be configured to convert voice commands into text.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jeremy Mickelsen, Nathan A. Hale, Benjamin Mauser, David A. Innes, Brad Bylund
  • Publication number: 20120013536
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a dual use remote-control device. In one embodiment, a dual use remote-control device may include a first set of input controls such as buttons positioned on a top side of the housing, a second set of input controls positioned on a bottom side of the housing including a QWERTY keyboard and an optical sensor to remotely control movement of a cursor on a display by the optical sensor detecting movement of a user's finger across the optical sensor or movement of the optical sensor across an object such as a table, arm of a chair or user's lap. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventors: Luke VanDuyn, Neil Marten, Nathan Hale
  • Publication number: 20120007763
    Abstract: A receiver interacts with a remote control to assist with one or more user-defined macros. In a first embodiment, the receiver may execute a macro recording program to record user input and create a macro based at least partially thereon. The receiver may associate the macro with a remote control selection element or a menu element of a menu operable to be displayed by the receiver on a display. The receiver may also transmit the macro to a storage medium. Subsequently, the user may trigger execution of the macro by the remote control or the receiver. In executing the macro, the remote control or the receiver may transmit instructions to entertainment system components or may signal the other to do so. In a second embodiment, the remote control may record the macro transmit it to the receiver for storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nathan Hale, David A. Innes
  • Publication number: 20110302619
    Abstract: Presented here is a method of operating video services receivers in a network that includes a controller device and at least one member device. Also presented is a controller device that facilitates the method. The method obtains network configuration data at a first video services receiver, where the network configuration data is utilized by the first video services receiver to support data communication with the controller device and the at least one member device. The method continues by establishing a data communication link between the first video services receiver and the controller device, and uploading the network configuration data from the first video services receiver to the controller device via the data communication link. The controller device can thereafter be used to download the network configuration data to a second video services receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Nathan Hale, David A. Innes
  • Publication number: 20110187491
    Abstract: Device control systems and methods learn to control an electronic device. An exemplary embodiment has a base device and a learning remote control. The learning remote control receives a device command signal transmitted from a remote control that controls the controlled electronic device. The base device receives a first identifier associated with a first input interface of the learning remote control, a second identifier associated with a second input interface of the learning remote control, and device control information from the learning remote control, wherein the received device control information includes information corresponding to the device command signal. The base device determines device instruction code information enabling the learning remote control to generate and transmit an emulated device command signal that is substantially the same as the device command signal when the learning remote control receives signals generated by the first input interface and the second input interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventors: David A. Innes, Nathan Hale
  • Publication number: 20100115576
    Abstract: One embodiment may take the form of a method and apparatus for remotely providing firmware to a wireless device. The wireless device may be configured to detect when the device's firmware is corrupted or may need updating. The device may then transmit a request for a firmware image on a first wireless communication channel. If the request is answered by an updating device, the wireless device may establish a communication with, and begin receiving the firmware image from, the updating device. Further, the wireless device may verify transmitted data and send an acknowledgment message to the updating device for each transmitted data packet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nathan A. Hale, Jeremy S. Mickelsen, William R. Reams, David A. Innes
  • Publication number: 20100091058
    Abstract: Reactive inks and methods of generating an image on a substrate using both reactive and heat activated inks are presented. An image is printed on a substrate, without reacting the reagents in the ink. Subsequently, the reagents are reacted to fix the image to a substrate, with substantial permanency and fastness. Sublimation or similar heat activated dyes are printed are also printed on the substrate. The sublimation or similar heat activated dyes are activated, and have an affinity for polymer that is applied to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Nathan Hale, Ming Xu, Kimberlee Thompson, SUKUN ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20100073408
    Abstract: Reactive inks and methods of generating an image on a substrate using both reactive and heat activated inks are presented. An image is printed on a substrate, without reacting the reagents in the ink. Subsequently, the reagents are reacted to fix the image to a substrate, with substantial permanency and fastness. Sublimation or similar heat activated dyes are printed are also printed on the substrate. The sublimation or similar heat activated dyes are activated, and have an affinity for polymer that is applied to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Nathan Hale, Ming Xu, Kimberlee Thompson, Sukun Zhang
  • Patent number: 7654660
    Abstract: Reactive inks and methods of generating an image on a substrate using both reactive and heat activated inks are presented. An image is printed on a substrate, without reacting the reagents in the ink. Subsequently, the reagents are reacted to fix the image to a substrate, with substantial permanency and fastness. Sublimation or similar heat activated dyes are printed are also printed on the substrate. The sublimation or similar heat activated dyes are activated, and have an affinity for polymer that is applied to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Sawgrass Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Hale, Ming Xu, Kimberlee Thompson, Sukun Zhang
  • Patent number: 6966643
    Abstract: An image is printed on a substrate by means of a computer driven printer using heat activated dyes, without activating the dyes during the process of printing onto the substrate. The dyes are subsequently activated by applying sufficient heat and pressure to the substrate to activate the dyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventors: Nathan Hale, Ming Xu
  • Publication number: 20050199152
    Abstract: Reactive inks and methods of generating an image on a substrate using both reactive and heat activated inks are presented. An image is printed on a substrate, without reacting the reagents in the ink. Subsequently, the reagents are reacted to fix the image to a substrate, with substantial permanency and fastness. Sublimation or similar heat activated dyes are printed are also printed on the substrate. The sublimation or similar heat activated dyes are activated, and have an affinity for polymer that is applied to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Inventors: Nathan Hale, Ming Xu, Kimberlee Thompson, Sukun Zhang
  • Patent number: 6618066
    Abstract: An image is printed on a substrate by means of a computer driven ink jet printer using heat activated dye, without activating the dye during the process of printing onto the substrate. The individual solid dye particles are present in a liquid ink, and are stabilized in the ink by an emulsifying enforcing agent that emulsifies the solid dye particles within the ink. The dye is subsequently activated by applying sufficient heat and pressure to the substrate to activate the dye and permanently bond the image to a final substrate. The resulting permanent image is resistant to laundering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventors: Nathan Hale, Ming Xu
  • Publication number: 20020196320
    Abstract: An image is printed on a substrate by means of a computer driven printer using heat activated dyes, without activating the dyes during the process of printing onto the substrate. The dyes are subsequently activated by applying sufficient heat and pressure to the substrate to activate the dyes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Nathan Hale, Ming Xu
  • Patent number: 6488370
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of producing a printed a by printing heat activated ink solids in a non activated form onto a medium in a desired image by means of an ink jet printer. The invention is printed using ink or dye compositions comprising heat activated ink or dye solids. The ink compositions used to print the medium are solid at ambient temperature when used with phase change ink jet printers, and are emulsions when used with liquid ink jet printers such as free flow and bubble jet printers. The dye solids are printed in the desired design by means of a printer onto a substrate, which becomes the printed medium. The substrate may be paper, or it may be other material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Sawgrass Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Hale, Ming Xu
  • Patent number: 6450098
    Abstract: An image is printed on a substrate by means of a computer driven printer using heat activated dyes, without activating the dyes during the process of printing onto the substrate. The dyes are subsequently activated by applying sufficient heat and pressure to the substrate to activate the dyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Sawgrass Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Hale, Ming Xu
  • Patent number: 6439710
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of producing a printed a by printing heat activated ink solids in a non activated form onto a medium in a desired image by means of an ink jet printer. The invention is printed using ink or dye compositions comprising heat activated ink or dye solids. The ink compositions used to print the medium are solid at ambient temperature when used with phase change ink jet printers, and are emulsions when used with liquid ink jet printers such as free flow and bubble jet printers. The dye solids are printed in the desired design by means of a printer onto a substrate, which becomes the printed medium. The substrate may be paper, or it may be other material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Sawgrass Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Hale, Ming Xu
  • Publication number: 20020109764
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of producing a printed a by printing heat activated ink solids in a non activated form onto a medium in a desired image by means of an ink jet printer. The invention is printed using ink or dye compositions comprising heat activated ink or dye solids. The ink compositions used to print the medium are solid at ambient temperature when used with phase change ink jet printers, and are emulsions when used with liquid ink jet printers such as free flow and bubble jet printers. The dye solids are printed in the desired design by means of a printer onto a substrate, which becomes the printed medium. The substrate may be paper, or it may be other material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Nathan Hale, Ming Xu
  • Patent number: 6425331
    Abstract: An image is printed on a substrate by means of a computer driven printer using heat activated dyes, without activating the dyes during the process of printing onto the substrate. The dyes are susequently activated by applying sufficient heat and pressure to the substrate to activate the dyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Sawgrass Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Xu, Nathan Hale
  • Publication number: 20020050221
    Abstract: An image is printed on a substrate by means of a computer driven printer using heat activated dyes, without activating the dyes during the process of printing onto the substrate. The dyes are susequently activated by applying sufficient heat and pressure to the substrate to activate the dyes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Applicant: Sawgrass Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: MING XU, NATHAN HALE
  • Publication number: 20020029714
    Abstract: An image is printed on a substrate by means of a computer driven printer using heat activated dyes, without activating the dyes during the process of printing onto the substrate. The dyes are subsequently activated by applying sufficient heat and pressure to the substrate to activate the dyes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Nathan Hale, Ming Xu