Patents Assigned to DISH Networks L.L.C.
  • Publication number: 20130117786
    Abstract: The present disclosure introduces a Social Network Content Driven Electronic Program Guide (EPG). In one embodiment, the computer program language when executed by a processor performs operations that allow a user to specify whether media content information presented by an EPG is presented within a context of multiple contexts of one or more social network(s) and corresponding social circle(s) associated with the user. Responsive to the user indicating that the EPG present media content within a particular one context of the multiple contexts, the EPG edits any context intersecting media content information with associated information from the social network to personalize the media content information. The edited content is then highlighted and presented by the EPG. All other media content information is presented without highlights. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: Dish Network L.L.C.
    Inventors: Richard Martin Hofer, Michael Andrew Michuda
  • Publication number: 20130056259
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the apparatus and/or methods are described for routing power to a wall-mounted appliance, particularly for routing electrical wiring and audio/video cabling up through a wall to power and communicate with a wall-mounted presentation device. The apparatus and systems include input and output enclosures with wiring therebetween and mechanisms for mounting the input and output enclosures adjacent to pre-cut wall openings. There exists at least one electrical input connector, disposed within the input enclosure, configured to electrically couple with a power source, and at least one electrical output connector, disposed within the output enclosure, configured to electrically couple with a wall-mounted appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: DISH Network L.L.C.
    Inventor: David M. Lettkeman
  • Patent number: 8299928
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for presenting viewer-related programming to a particular viewer. In at least one embodiment, a wireless reader is configured to receive at least one identifier when the particular viewer is in proximity to the reader. A controller is configured to receive the identifier from the wireless reader and to associate the identifier with the particular viewer, and, upon successfully associating the wireless identifier with the particular viewer, to present the viewer-related programming associated with the particular viewer via the display or other presentation device located in proximity to the wireless reader. Viewer-related programming may including placeshifted content, viewing preferences, settings or other information as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: DISH Network L.L.C.
    Inventor: John T. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20120262535
    Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for providing communication between multiple content viewers. First video data is captured of a first user located locally with respect to a presentation device and transmitted to a base station located remotely with respect to the presentation device. The base station transmits a composite signal that includes video content provided by a content source communicatively coupled the base station and further includes second video chat data captured of a second user located remotely with respect to the presentation device. The composite signal is responsively presented by the presentation device to the first user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicants: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C., DISH NETWORK L.L.C.
    Inventors: Max S. Gratton, Desmond Ottmar
  • Publication number: 20120261529
    Abstract: Described herein are mounting plates which facilitate securing of the electrical switching device to an object. The plate mounts to an object and is configured to secure one or more electrical switching devices. The mounting plate includes a planar surface having a plurality of first through holes configured to secure an electrical switching device to a first side of the planar surface. The mounting plate further includes a bracket attached to a second side of the planar surface configured to secure the mounting plate to another object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: DISH Network L.L.C.
    Inventor: David M. Lettkeman
  • Publication number: 20120256809
    Abstract: Described herein are mounting plates for securing cabling to another object. A mounting plate includes a body and at least one first through hole positioned along a surface of the body. The first through hole is configured to receive a cable connector. The mounting plate further includes at least one second through hole positioned along the surface of the body. The second through hole is configured to receive at least one securing mechanism, the securing mechanism configured to secure the mounting plate to another object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: DISH Network L.L.C.
    Inventor: David M. Lettkeman
  • Patent number: 8245253
    Abstract: Displaying music information associated with a television program is described. In one aspect, a television program is received that contains at least one music track. Information associated with the music track is identified and a request is received from a user to display music information associated with the television program. In response to the user request, a list is generated that identifies the music track in the television program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Dish Network L.L.C.
    Inventors: Max Stephen Gratton, Aaron Thomas Dobberstein
  • Patent number: 8223185
    Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for providing communication between multiple content viewers. First video data is captured of a first user located locally with respect to a presentation device and transmitted to a base station located remotely with respect to the presentation device. The base station transmits a composite signal that includes video content provided by a content source communicatively coupled the base station and further includes second video chat data captured of a second user located remotely with respect to the presentation device. The composite signal is responsively presented by the presentation device to the first user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignees: DISH Network L.L.C., EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Max S. Gratton, Desmond Ottmar
  • Publication number: 20120174141
    Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for remotely controlling an entertainment device using a mobile communication device. A user utilizes a mobile communication device to input information that requests manipulation of playback of content outputted for presentation by an entertainment device. The mobile communication device transmits the user input to the entertainment device and furthers transmits identifying data regarding the user. Responsive to receiving the user input and the identifying data, the mobile communication device authenticates the user and outputs the content for presentation to a user based on the user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicants: DISH NETWORK L.L.C., ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventors: Charles W. Ergen, Max S. Gratton
  • Publication number: 20120162044
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for mounting an object to an edge of a structure. A plate is utilized to provide additional rigidity for mounting an object to a structure. The plate includes a first surface configured to slide between the structure and an object mounted to the structure with at least one securing mechanism. The plate includes a first slot positioned along a first peripheral edge of the plate. The first slot is configured to align with and prevent interference of the plate with the securing mechanism during the slide and to receive the securing mechanism. The plate includes a second slot positioned along the first peripheral edge. The second slot is configured to align with and prevent interference of the plate with the securing mechanism during the slide and to receive the securing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: DISH Network L.L.C.
    Inventors: David M. Lettkeman, Patrick Harold Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20120158536
    Abstract: Identifying content purchasing options based on user preferences is described. In one aspect, a system receives user content preferences. Multiple content packages associated with a content provider are identified such that the content packages include at least a portion of the user content preferences. The system identifies any user content preferences missing from each of the multiple content packages. Based on the identified content packages and the user content preferences, a listing of content purchasing options is generated that is appropriate for the user. The listing of content purchasing options also includes any user content preferences missing from each of the multiple content packages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Dish Network L.L.C.
    Inventor: Max Stephen Gratton
  • Publication number: 20120158769
    Abstract: Distributing and identifying music is described. In one aspect, multiple music tracks are received by a music receiver from a music content provider. At least a portion of the music tracks are played in a geographic area near the music receiver. A report is generated that identifies music tracks played in the geographic area and a time associated with playing each music track. The report is then communicated to the music content provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Dish Network L.L.C.
    Inventor: Max Stephen Gratton
  • Publication number: 20120159535
    Abstract: Displaying music information associated with a television program is described. In one aspect, a television program is received that contains at least one music track. Information associated with the music track is identified and a request is received from a user to display music information associated with the television program. In response to the user request, a list is generated that identifies the music track in the television program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Dish Network L.L.C.
    Inventors: Max Stephen Gratton, Aaron Thomas Dobberstein
  • Publication number: 20120151785
    Abstract: Multi-angle levels and plumbing methods are described. In one aspect, a multi-angle level has a body made up of a base section and a rotating section rotatably secured to the base section. A leveling mechanism is disposed on the rotating section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Dish Network L.L.C.
    Inventors: David M. Lettkeman, Patrick Harold Reynolds
  • Patent number: 8152642
    Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for remotely controlling an entertainment device using a mobile communication device. A user utilizes a mobile communication device to input information that requests manipulation of playback of content outputted for presentation by an entertainment device. The mobile communication device transmits the user input to the entertainment device and furthers transmits identifying data regarding the user. Responsive to receiving the user input and the identifying data, the mobile communication device authenticates the user and outputs the content for presentation to a user based on the user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignees: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., DISH Network L.L.C.
    Inventors: Charles W. Ergen, Max S Gratton
  • Patent number: 8136140
    Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus, systems and/or methods are described for generating metadata utilized by a DVR to filter content from a video stream. A video stream is reviewed to identify portions the video stream to skip during presentation of the video stream. Text data associated with the video stream is parsed to identify a string in the text data that identifies boundaries of the portions of the video stream that are to be skipped during presentation by the DVR. The string is provided to the DVR, and the DVR utilizes the string to skip the portion of the video stream during presentation of the video stream by the DVR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: DISH Network L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kenneth Robert Hodge
  • Publication number: 20110320583
    Abstract: Monitoring user activity on a mobile device is described. In one aspect, video content is received and played to a user of the mobile device. The monitoring activity detects an interruption of playback of the video content and determines an event associated with the interruption. The event is stored in the mobile device and communicated to a remote device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Dish Network L.L.C.
    Inventors: Myles Parker, Caroline Dinan Horner, Benjamin Gerard Husser, John Yakemovic, Jeffrey Meyers
  • Patent number: 8081139
    Abstract: An antenna amount including first, second, and third plates is disclosed. Each of the first and second plates includes a planar section and a flange connected to the planar section. At least one attachment device attaches the first plate to the second plate to form a plate structure. When attached, the planar sections of the first and second plates contact each other. Also, the flanges are parallel to each other, extend in the same direction, and are positioned to abut opposing surfaces of a mounting base. The third plate includes a planar section and a mounting surface connected to the planar section. The mounting surface is configured to receive a mounting device for the antenna. The attachment device clamps the mounting base between the third plate and the plate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: DISH Network L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jason S. Schmidt, David Lettkeman, Eric Bolze
  • Publication number: 20110271301
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for presenting viewer-related programming to a particular viewer. In at least one embodiment, a wireless reader is configured to receive at least one identifier when the particular viewer is in proximity to the reader. A controller is configured to receive the identifier from the wireless reader and to associate the identifier with the particular viewer, and, upon successfully associating the wireless identifier with the particular viewer, to present the viewer-related programming associated with the particular viewer via the display or other presentation device located in proximity to the wireless reader. Viewer-related programming may including placeshifted content, viewing preferences, settings or other information as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: DISH NETWORK L.L.C.
    Inventor: John T. KENNEDY
  • Patent number: 8051442
    Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for presenting advertisements in association with broadcast video content on a presentation device in a non-residential location. The advertisements are identified based on characteristics of the non-residential location, such as goods or services offered at the non-residential location. The advertisements may be presented simultaneously with the broadcast video content, or may be used as substitute content to replace interstitials within the broadcast video content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: DISH Network L.L.C.
    Inventors: Charles W. Ergen, Danny J. Minnick