Patents Assigned to EchoStar Satellite, LLC
  • Method and apparatus for parental control
    Patent number: 8024753
    Abstract: Television converter devices in accordance with present invention determine whether the programming is to be blocked or not, then inserts an appropriate V-code into the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of the programming before delivering the programming to one or more V-chip enabled TV where the V-chip blocks the programming as appropriate. Various methods of determining whether the programming is to be blocked are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: EchoStar Satellite, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Kummer, Edmund F. Petruzzelli, Danny J. Minnick
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DIRECTING CUSTOMERS TOWARD HELPFUL INFORMATION
    Publication number: 20090254940
    Abstract: Systems and methods direct a customer using an appliance coupled to a display toward received information. An input is received from the customer at the appliance, and a period of relative non-use is identified. In response to the period of relative non-use, the appliance is tuned to an informational channel to thereby present the received information to the customer on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: EchoStar Satellite, LLC
    Inventors: Dave Kummer, Carol Bonetti