Patents by Inventor Robert J. Rothaus

Robert J. Rothaus 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).

  • Patent number: 10785516
    Abstract: A satellite broadcast system is used to transmit streams of variable bit-rate content using fixed bit-rate channels that correspond to respective satellite transponder carriers. High bandwidth content is transmitted over multiple transponder carriers in parallel with a combined bandwidth sufficient for the peak bit-rate of the high bandwidth content, whereas multiple streams of low bandwidth content can be transmitted over a single transponder carrier simultaneously by multiplexing the low bandwidth content. High bandwidth content may be multiplexed with low bandwidth content rather than assigning all high bandwidth content to be transmitted exclusively over dedicated high bandwidth transponders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Rothaus
  • Publication number: 20190238902
    Abstract: A satellite broadcast system is used to transmit streams of variable bit-rate content using fixed bit-rate channels that correspond to respective satellite transponder carriers. High bandwidth content is transmitted over multiple transponder carriers in parallel with a combined bandwidth sufficient for the peak bit-rate of the high bandwidth content, whereas multiple streams of low bandwidth content can be transmitted over a single transponder carrier simultaneously by multiplexing the low bandwidth content. High bandwidth content may be multiplexed with low bandwidth content rather than assigning all high bandwidth content to be transmitted exclusively over dedicated high bandwidth transponders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Rothaus
  • Patent number: 10298976
    Abstract: A satellite broadcast system is used to transmit streams of variable bit-rate content using fixed bit-rate channels that correspond to respective satellite transponder carriers. High bandwidth content is transmitted over multiple transponder carriers in parallel with a combined bandwidth sufficient for the peak bit-rate of the high bandwidth content, whereas multiple streams of low bandwidth content can be transmitted over a single transponder carrier simultaneously by multiplexing the low bandwidth content. High bandwidth content may be multiplexed with low bandwidth content rather than assigning all high bandwidth content to be transmitted exclusively over dedicated high bandwidth transponders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Rothaus
  • Publication number: 20180343474
    Abstract: A satellite broadcast system is used to transmit streams of variable bit-rate content using fixed bit-rate channels that correspond to respective satellite transponder carriers. High bandwidth content is transmitted over multiple transponder carriers in parallel with a combined bandwidth sufficient for the peak bit-rate of the high bandwidth content, whereas multiple streams of low bandwidth content can be transmitted over a single transponder carrier simultaneously by multiplexing the low bandwidth content. High bandwidth content may be multiplexed with low bandwidth content rather than assigning all high bandwidth content to be transmitted exclusively over dedicated high bandwidth transponders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Rothaus
  • Patent number: 10057611
    Abstract: A satellite broadcast system is used to transmit streams of variable bit-rate content using fixed bit-rate channels that correspond to respective satellite transponder carriers. High bandwidth content is transmitted over multiple transponder carriers in parallel with a combined bandwidth sufficient for the peak bit-rate of the high bandwidth content, whereas multiple streams of low bandwidth content can be transmitted over a single transponder carrier simultaneously by multiplexing the low bandwidth content. High bandwidth content may be multiplexed with low bandwidth content rather than assigning all high bandwidth content to be transmitted exclusively over dedicated high bandwidth transponders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Rothaus
  • Publication number: 20170134767
    Abstract: A satellite broadcast system is used to transmit streams of variable bit-rate content using fixed bit-rate channels that correspond to respective satellite transponder carriers. High bandwidth content is transmitted over multiple transponder carriers in parallel with a combined bandwidth sufficient for the peak bit-rate of the high bandwidth content, whereas multiple streams of low bandwidth content can be transmitted over a single transponder carrier simultaneously by multiplexing the low bandwidth content. High bandwidth content may be multiplexed with low bandwidth content rather than assigning all high bandwidth content to be transmitted exclusively over dedicated high bandwidth transponders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventor: Robert J. Rothaus
  • Patent number: 9584838
    Abstract: A satellite broadcast system is used to transmit streams of variable bit-rate content using fixed bit-rate channels that correspond to respective satellite transponder carriers. High bandwidth content is transmitted over multiple transponder carriers in parallel with a combined bandwidth sufficient for the peak bit-rate of the high bandwidth content, whereas multiple streams of low bandwidth content can be transmitted over a single transponder carrier simultaneously by multiplexing the low bandwidth content. High bandwidth content may be multiplexed with low bandwidth content rather than assigning all high bandwidth content to be transmitted exclusively over dedicated high bandwidth transponders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: Robert J. Rothaus
  • Publication number: 20170013287
    Abstract: A satellite broadcast system is used to transmit streams of variable bit-rate content using fixed bit-rate channels that correspond to respective satellite transponder carriers. High bandwidth content is transmitted over multiple transponder carriers in parallel with a combined bandwidth sufficient for the peak bit-rate of the high bandwidth content, whereas multiple streams of low bandwidth content can be transmitted over a single transponder carrier simultaneously by multiplexing the low bandwidth content. High bandwidth content may be multiplexed with low bandwidth content rather than assigning all high bandwidth content to be transmitted exclusively over dedicated high bandwidth transponders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: Robert J. Rothaus
  • Patent number: 9479837
    Abstract: Example methods and systems are disclosed for managing television tuners. A method includes receiving a request to tune to a first channel of a plurality of television channels including one or more local channels and one or more satellite channels, and determining whether the first channel is one of the local channel(s). If it is determined that the first channel is one of the local channel(s), the method includes determining whether at least one of one or more local tuners is available for tuning. If it is determined that at least one local tuner is available, the method includes tuning to the first channel using an available local tuner. If it is determined that none of the local tuner(s) are available, the method includes tuning to the first channel using an available one of one or more satellite tuners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Rothaus, Scott W. Hause
  • Patent number: 9432728
    Abstract: A tuner receives an input signal in which a high bandwidth video data stream is multiplexed amongst multiple fixed-bandwidth channels. The tuner receives instructions to output the high bandwidth video data stream and tunes and demodulates the input signal for the multiple fixed-bandwidth carriers in parallel. The tuner can apply error correction to the demodulated signal and identify data packets associated with the high bandwidth video data stream. The tuner combines the identified data packets to recover the original high bandwidth video data stream and outputs the high bandwidth video data stream via a universal serial bus port. As such, the tuner can be connected to a legacy receiver unit as an external module that enables the legacy receiver unit to receive high bandwidth video data streams that are multiplexed amongst multiple fixed-bandwidth channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Rothaus
  • Patent number: 7085529
    Abstract: The system and method described herein is used to determine the type of multi-switch connected to a direct-to-home satellite integrated receiver/decoder. The system looks for a predetermined marker pattern on the first port of a multi-switch using a first type of control signal (e.g., DiSEqC control signals) not knowing if this type of control signal will work, because the type of multi-switch is undetermined. If the marker is found on the first port, the system changes the control signal to address the third port of the multi-switch. If the marker is also acquired from the third port, and the second marker is the same as the first marker, then the multi-switch is ignoring the control signals and the process is repeated using a different pair of multi-switch ports (e.g., ports two and four) and/or a different type of control signal (e.g., tone control signals). However, if a different marker (or no marker) is found on the third port, then the multi-switch is responding to the control signals (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: The DirecTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Arsenault, Robert J. Rothaus
  • Patent number: 5488736
    Abstract: Disclosed is a current driver that includes an array of current buffers and a program control circuit. The program control circuit responds to an externally generated programming signal to generate buffer direction control, daisy chain configuration control, and tristate control signals. The buffers of the array of current buffers are individually programmed by the direction control and the daisy chain configuration control signals to transmit data in one of a forward and reverse direction and to daisy chain a buffer to a preceding buffer, respectively. The array of current buffers is responsive to the tristate control signal to operate in a tristate mode. The array of current buffers may be reprogrammed in response to a reset signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: Kimberly W. Keech, Robert J. Rothaus
  • Patent number: 5465106
    Abstract: A generic driver interface card comprising a configurable digital circuit card that has programmable logic functions and I/O connectors to provide the capability of implementing many new or old circuit designs without re-etching the circuit card. The circuit card utilizes a programmable gate array, a bidirectional programmable I/O driver, and an EEPROM to provide for reconfiguration of the circuit card upon reset. The circuit card is a single versatile circuit card that may be used in many different applications. The logic functions and I/O pins of the circuit card are programmable to allow emulation of old designs and implementation of new designs without the need to physically modify the card. The circuit card utilizes the bidirectional programmable I/O driver to provide a programmable connector with the high current drive capability required to interface with older-generation systems. The circuit card allows design changes without the need to physically modify the circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: Kimberly W. Keech, Robert J. Rothaus