Patents Assigned to VIACLIX, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9030406
    Abstract: According to some aspects, the invention provides methods and apparatuses for incorporating motion sensors into a full function remote control. In addition to using movement for cursor location on an associated display, the invention can use the motion sensor information in many new and useful ways. As one example, information about movement along the ±Z axis can be used to activate a “zoom in” function when remote pointed toward the screen and “zoom out” when it is pulled back. As another example, a remote control incorporating the invention can include controls on two opposite sides, and the motion sensors can be used to activate controls on one side of the device and deactivate controls on the other side based on its orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Viaclix, Inc.
    Inventor: Amir Nobakht
  • Publication number: 20120221970
    Abstract: A magnifying tool that enlarges a selected region of displayed image surrounding a cursor in a graphical user interface (GUI), and superimposes the enlarged region directly over the selected region (and a portion of the adjacent non-selected region). The location of the cursor relative to the enlarged region is co-located with the location of the cursor relative to the selected region such that the locations are identical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: VIACLIX, INC.
    Inventor: Killian D. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20120068922
    Abstract: According to some aspects, the invention provides methods and apparatuses for incorporating motion sensors into a full function remote control. In addition to using movement for cursor location on an associated display, the invention can use the motion sensor information in many new and useful ways. As one example, information about movement along the ±Z axis can be used to activate a “zoom in” function when remote pointed toward the screen and “zoom out” when it is pulled back. As another example, a remote control incorporating the invention can include controls on two opposite sides, and the motion sensors can be used to activate controls on one side of the device and deactivate controls on the other side based on its orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: ViaCLIX, Inc.
    Inventor: Amir Nobakht
  • Patent number: 8117565
    Abstract: A magnifying tool that enlarges a selected region of displayed image surrounding a cursor in a graphical user interface (GUI), and superimposes the enlarged region directly over the selected region (and a portion of the adjacent non-selected region). The location of the cursor relative to the enlarged region is co-located with the location of the cursor relative to the selected region such that the locations are identical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Viaclix, Inc.
    Inventor: Killian D. Murphy
  • Patent number: 7506066
    Abstract: A channel-based network user terminal including a set-top box, a display, and input devices. A non-volatile memory stores a semi-permanent copy of a channel table downloaded from a server via the Internet. The channel table includes a list of channel numbers, associated Internet site names, and associated Internet addresses. A volatile memory stores a temporary copy of the channel table during user sessions. The channel numbers and associated Internet site names are read from the volatile memory and displayed as a menu. A user selects an Internet site name from the menu, and enters the channel number associated with the selected Internet site name using a numeric keypad provided on a remote control input device. The user terminal then accesses the selected Internet site by reading the Internet address associated with the entered channel number from the volatile memory, and transmitting the Internet address onto the Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: VIACLIX, Inc.
    Inventors: Lida Nobakht, James R. W. Clymer
  • Patent number: 7111051
    Abstract: A server is established for a plurality of authorized users. Each authorized user accesses the Internet through a user terminal, with support from the server. The server maintains a database identifying the authorized users. A target Internet site provides payment and a target URL to the server. In return, the server has smart cards created, each storing information identifying an authorized user and the target URL. These smart cards are sent to the corresponding authorized users. Upon insertion of a smart card, a user terminal retrieves the authorized user information and transmits this information to the server. The server compares this information with authorized user information in the server database. If a match exists, the server transmits an authorization code to the user terminal. In response, the user terminal retrieves the target URL from the smart card, and uses this URL to retrieve information from the target Internet site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: VIACLIX, Inc.
    Inventors: Lida Nobakht, James R. W. Clymer
  • Patent number: 6813639
    Abstract: A channel-based network includes a system server, one or more Internet sites and one or more user terminals. The system server stores a series of computer pages and a master channel table that includes a list of channel numbers. Channel numbers and logo spaces are purchased by Internet sites wishing to be included in the network. The system server operator updates the computer pages to include logos for the Internet sites, and updates the master channel table each time a channel number is purchased. The updated web page and master channel table information is then downloaded to the user terminals of the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: VIACLIX, Inc.
    Inventors: Lida Nobakht, James R. W. Clymer
  • Publication number: 20040205155
    Abstract: A channel-based network user terminal including a set-top box, a display, and input devices. A non-volatile memory stores a semi-permanent copy of a channel table downloaded from a server via the Internet. The channel table includes a list of channel numbers, associated Internet site names, and associated Internet addresses. A volatile memory stores a temporary copy of the channel table during user sessions. The channel numbers and associated Internet site names are read from the volatile memory and displayed as a menu. A user selects an Internet site name from the menu, and enters the channel number associated with the selected Internet site name using a numeric keypad provided on a remote control input device. The user terminal then accesses the selected Internet site by reading the Internet address associated with the entered channel number from the volatile memory, and transmitting the Internet address onto the Internet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: VIACLIX, Inc.
    Inventors: Lida Nobakht, James R.W. Clymer
  • Patent number: 6785716
    Abstract: A channel-based network for accessing the Internet including a system server, one or more Internet sites and one or more user terminals that are connected via the Internet. The system server stores a master channel table that includes a list of channel numbers, each channel number having an associated Internet address and an associated Internet site name. Each Internet site of the network is addressable by an associated Internet address stored in the master channel table. Each user terminal automatically (i.e., without user participation) downloads and stores a local copy of the master channel table. The channel numbers and associated Internet site names are read from the downloaded local copy of the channel table and displayed, for example, on a television in a menu-like manner. The user selects an Internet site name from the displayed menu, and enters the channel number associated with the selected Internet site name using an input device that is similar to a television remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Viaclix, Inc.
    Inventor: Lida Nobakht
  • Patent number: 6745223
    Abstract: A channel-based network user terminal including a set-top box, a display, and input devices. A non-volatile memory stores a semi-permanent copy of a channel table downloaded from a server via the Internet. The channel table includes a list of channel numbers, associated Internet site names, and associated Internet addresses. A volatile memory stores a temporary copy of the channel table during user sessions. The channel numbers and associated Internet site names are read from the volatile memory and displayed as a menu. A user selects an Internet site name from the menu, and enters the channel number associated with the selected Internet site name using a numeric keypad provided on a remote control input device. The user terminal then accesses the selected Internet site by reading the Internet address associated with the entered channel number from the volatile memory, and transmitting the Internet address onto the Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Viaclix, Inc.
    Inventors: Lida Nobakht, James R. W. Clymer
  • Patent number: 6587873
    Abstract: A system server for a channel-based network including one or more Internet sites and one or more user terminals. The system server includes a channel table database storing a master channel table that includes a list of channel numbers, each channel number having an associated Internet address and an associated Internet site name. Each Internet site of the network is addressable by an associated Internet address stored in the master channel table. The system server includes a network database and an update manager database. The system server identifies each user terminal requesting service by comparing transmitted identification information with authorized user information stored in the network database. The system server also compares a channel table version number from the requesting user terminal with a version number stored in the update manager database that is associated with the master channel table, and notifies each requesting user terminal when updated channel table information is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Viaclix, Inc.
    Inventors: Lida Nobakht, James R. W. Clymer