Patents Examined by Brian Pendleton
  • Patent number: 8769589
    Abstract: A computer implemented method includes receiving, at a media server, a request from a first viewer to create a media content server including select segments of media content for display at a display device. The computer implemented method includes accessing a media content analyzer generated based on viewer annotation data associated with media content. The viewer annotation data is received from viewers other than the first viewer. The computer implemented method includes identifying segments of the media content using the media content analyzer. The computer implemented method includes selecting at least one segment of the identified segments of the media content for inclusion in a media content summary. The computer implemented method includes sending the media content summary including the at least one selected segment of the media content to the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Brian Amento, Mukesh Nathan, Larry Stead
  • Patent number: 8769568
    Abstract: Primary presentation stream is received and presented to user. Alternate presentation stream received according to channel prediction stands ready for presentation if user selects channel processed as alternate stream. Prediction is made according to pre-indication of channel selection or time-selected usage history.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Depietro
  • Patent number: 8719855
    Abstract: Methods and systems for distributing content are disclosed. A first plurality of items of content, including video content, is selected based on one or more criteria. Information is accessed indicating respective time lengths and/or qualifying viewing times corresponding to items in the first plurality of items of content. The first plurality of items of content or representations thereof is provided for display on the user terminal in association with the respective time lengths and/or qualifying viewing times. In response to a user selection, a first item of content included in the first plurality of items of content is caused to be played or otherwise distinctly presented by the user terminal in conjunction with a timer corresponding the a respective qualifying viewing time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Paramjit Singh Bedi
  • Patent number: 8701140
    Abstract: A broadband data broadcast system that allows rich multimedia content to be delivered to a plurality of subscribers is disclosed. The broadband data broadcast system operates by multiplexing a plurality of rich multimedia digital information streams together at a centralized data broadcast center. The data broadcast center then broadcasts the multiplexed digital information stream on a broadcast medium such as satellite broadcasts, radio frequency broadcasts, or digital television broadcasts. A large number of receiver systems receive the broadcast signal and demodulate the broadcast signal to retrieve the multiplexed digital stream. The receiver system extracts a subset of digital information streams that the particular receiver system's owner has designated are of interest. The receiver system caches the interesting digital information stream for later access. The receiver system outputs the interesting digital information streams to a client system upon demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Shimomura, Steve Waltman, Mark Peting, Castor Fu, Dag H. Johansen, Geoff Mulligan
  • Patent number: 8701144
    Abstract: A digital broadcasting system and a method for processing data in the same are disclosed. A method for controlling a digital television (DTV) located in one independent space among a plurality of independent spaces physically separated from one another is disclosed. The method includes receiving a broadcast signal from a management server, processing the received broadcast signal using a hospitality middleware platform embedded in the DTV, and outputting audio/video (A/V) data on the basis of the processed broadcast signal. The hospitality middleware platform may include a switching layer for switching a first layer for processing a broadcast signal based on a broadcast standard of a first region and a second layer for processing a broadcast signal based on a broadcast standard of a second region, a flexible Digital Rights Management (DRM) layer capable of being voluntarily modified, and a downloadable engine layer capable of voluntarily programming an interactive service application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Changho Shin, Sangrea Woo, Jangsun Choi
  • Patent number: 8701149
    Abstract: A method and system for minimizing data streams of the same program on a shared medium is provided. A user device receives a first data stream of a program and effects display of the program based on the first data stream to a display device. The user device halts display of the program and provides an advertisement to a viewer. A second data stream of the program being provided over the same medium to a second viewer that was initiated after the first data stream is provided to the user device. The user device buffers the second data stream, and after the advertisement is finished, provides the program to the viewer based on the second data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Qurio Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Roberts, James Evans, Gregory M. Evans
  • Patent number: 8695055
    Abstract: A splitter circuit means for use with a CATV network comprising: a first signal input for receiving a CATV signal; a first splitter for splitting the CATV signal into a first split signal and a second split signal; a second signal input for receiving a MoCA signal; a second splitter for splitting the MoCA signal into a third split signal and a fourth split signal; a first diplex filter arranged to lowpass filter the first split signal and highpass filter the third split signal and to combine said filtered signals into a first combined signal to be supplied in a first output; and a second diplex filter arranged to lowpass filter the second split signal and highpass filter the fourth split signal and to combine said filtered signals into a second combined signal to be supplied in a second output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Teleste Oyj
    Inventor: Marc Labro
  • Patent number: 8683519
    Abstract: A set-top box generates a multimedia signal that includes streaming video for a plurality of currently available multimedia channels. A user configures a plurality of favorite channels. Streaming video from the favorite channels is provided in a plurality of viewports on a display. A user presses a favorites button on a remote control to prompt an application server to signal a content server to provide a compound video signal including streaming video from each favorite channel. The set-top box produces a resultant video signal including the streaming video from each favorite channel in a corresponding viewport. The viewports correspond to a mosaic template that may be hosted by the application server and accessed by the content server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Mary McCarthy, Roland Noll, Scott Alan Pettit
  • Patent number: 8683537
    Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may embedding a watermark in media content for presentation at a rendering device using an editor to associate the watermark with one or more metadata pointers that point to additional media content according to an embedded link of the watermark to generate a group of one or more metadata pointers where the watermark includes an embedded link to additional media content used to modify the media content based on a content exchange between the rendering device and a computer. The method may further include storing the group of one or more metadata pointers, where a selection of the watermark invokes access to the altered media content containing the additional media content associated with the watermark, thereby producing the altered media content at the one or more user devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Troy C Meuninck, Oleg Kashapov
  • Patent number: 8677408
    Abstract: Row advertisements for use in a program guide are described. An example includes a program guide to aid a user navigate a media presentation system; a list of entries to represent a plurality of programs; an advertisement positioned within the list of entries, wherein the advertisement is interactive to allow a user to manipulate the advertisement, and wherein the advertisement is associated with one of the plurality of programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Green, Joy A. Arai, Scott M. Benoit, Eric J. Bennett, Robert A. Bergman, Tommi Iten, Chris Roy, Tyson L. Wintibaugh
  • Patent number: 8677441
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for selective filtering of transmissions based on information received from a tuner. An embedded diplexer in a consumer electronic device allows the device to be used in a variety of different signal environments. For example, a television with an embedded switching filter coupled to the television tuner is operable in environments where television signals are transmitted on frequencies up to 1 GHz and in environments where MoCA signals are transmitted on 1 GHz frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Entropic Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Lee
  • Patent number: 8677436
    Abstract: It is the object of the present invention to provide a stereoscopic video distribution system, a stereoscopic video distribution method, a stereoscopic video distribution apparatus, a stereoscopic video viewing system, a stereoscopic video viewing method, and a stereoscopic video viewing apparatus. In the stereoscopic video distribution system according to this invention, stereoscopic video signals provided by a plurality of video distribution source servers for distributing stereoscopic videos are once received by a transcoding server, so that the stereoscopic video signals can be reproduced by a BD player and a TV for stereoscopic viewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electronic Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Nagasawa, Yuichiro Haruyama
  • Patent number: 8677394
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a capability is disclosed for conveying a link to further information over a cable system to a consumer device, wherein the video link can be associated with an external video source. The information can be conveyed to the consume device in one embodiment by embedding the video link information within a stream of MPEG formatted video information using an EBIF application. The video link information can be a URL from which the external information, typically video information, can be received. Upon detecting the link, the consumer device opens up a display window on a television image, which is presented to the viewer in an overlaid manner in addition to the MPEG video information on a television display. Typically, after the external video is presented, the window is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ericsson Television Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Rouse, Charles Dasher
  • Patent number: 8677407
    Abstract: There is provided an image display apparatus that receives a broadcast program and displays video images relating to the broadcast program. The image display apparatus comprises, among other things, a communication interface for communicating with a rendering apparatus that is externally connected; an input unit that receives image data for displaying graphic images from the rendering apparatus, the graphic images being different from the video images relating to the broadcast program; and a control unit that gives an instruction to the rendering apparatus, via the communication interface, to generate the image data, and obtains, via the input unit, image data generated by the rendering apparatus according to the instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuya Ota
  • Patent number: 8670487
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to allocate between a video and audio quality in an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) presentation and to utilize a resultant bandwidth as a result of allocation to enhance an audio or video quality in the IPTV presentation in response to a user selection among levels of video quality and audio quality. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Marc Sullivan, Keith Crowe, James Pratt
  • Patent number: 8671423
    Abstract: Media system control and advertisement technology, in which input related to advertising preferences of a user of a media system that is connected to a content delivery network is received. An advertisement control policy is defined for the user of the media system based on the received input. During viewing, on the media system, of a channel provided by the content delivery network, the media system is controlled to deliver advertisements based on the defined advertisement policy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: PurpleComm Inc.
    Inventors: Jack H. Chang, William H. Sheu, Sherman Tuan
  • Patent number: 8671433
    Abstract: According to one implementation a method is provided that involves transmitting from a social network site to a television broadcasting site a stream of data for being broadcast to multiple end-user media devices and also transmitting via a unicast communication from the social network site non-broadcast content for the purposes of being incorporated, integrated or otherwise played in conjunction with the broadcast content in the end-user media devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Media Patents, S.L.
    Inventors: Álvaro Fernández Gutiérrez, Tim L. Kitchen
  • Patent number: 8667539
    Abstract: This invention enables Scanable Icons, which may be predetermined graphical images, and similar encoded information to be applied to video systems in a manner that is user-friendly and brings many of the advantages of easy information access and management to the video environment. The optical path normally required when using such encoded information is avoided. Supplementary information, including more details for advertisements, is provided in a non-invasive manner, allowing the user to access the supplementary information at convenient times and locations. The Scanable Icon adds a symbol to the existing advertisement without increasing its duration. Advertising is made substantially more effective for the advertiser and more useful for the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Shifters, LLC
    Inventors: Ted Elliott Hartson, Elijah Ethan Brown, Walter Stanley Ciciora
  • Patent number: 8661487
    Abstract: A control server receives a local input to control a remote video device and sends an indication of the local input to the remote video device to control, access, or operate the remote video device. Video data indicative of images provided by the remote video device in response to the local input are relayed to the control server by the remote video device or associated components. A plurality of remote video devices can be simultaneously controlled, accessed, or operated. Control code sets for remote video devices are mapped to a local interface control set. Local input is translated to a remote video device command based on such mappings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Hung John Pham, Bach N. Hoang
  • Patent number: 8661474
    Abstract: A mobile terminal and digital broadcast receiving method thereof are disclosed, by which complicated procedures for digital broadcast reception in a mobile communication terminal can be simplified for user's convenience. The method according to an embodiment includes recognizing a number inputted via an input unit of the terminal in a standby mode, deciding whether a broadcast channel mapped by the inputted number exists in a memory, reading broadcast information for the broadcast channel mapped by the inputted number from digital multimedia service data and then displaying the broadcast information on a prescribed area of a display unit, and if a control signal for a digital broadcast reception is inputted while the broadcast information for the broadcast channel is displayed, entering a digital broadcast receiving mode of the broadcast channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Chan Young Moon