Patents Examined by James Sheleheda
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Patent number: 7730506Abstract: A remote response system that utilizes portable response devices that require a user to input a program code and response data, which are transmitted over existing communication systems to a central location for processing. Certain response devices communicate over wireless systems, while other response devices communicate over plain old telephone systems by sending data bursts or by dialing different, pre-established telephone numbers. A user of the response device can communicate with a presenter of programming that is live or broadcast over audio/visual mediums in real time, without requiring the user to have a personal computer.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2008Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Inventor: Edwin Lyda
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Patent number: 7725913Abstract: A system and method for delivering a communication signal to a subscriber without incurring right-of-way franchise fees associated with the signal. A central office on a first side of a right-of-way is in communication with a multiplexer on a second side of the right-of-way opposite the first side. The central office transmits a signal (e.g., a telephony signal) to the multiplexer such that the signal crosses the right-of-way. A wireless receiver on the second side receives another signal (e.g., a video signal) and transmits the other signal to the multiplexer. The multiplexer combines the signal and the other signal into a combined signal for routing to the subscriber (located on the second side). Because the communication of the other signal occurs entirely on the second side and does not access or cross into the right-of-way, the addition of the other signal avoids the imposition of a right-of-way franchise fee.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2001Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventor: F. David Stallworth
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Patent number: 7712116Abstract: A program-display control apparatus can display information on each of a plurality of programs in a state that can be recognized by the user with ease without regard to the display configuration of the display data of the program. A display-configuration modification unit changes the display configurations of the program table of a BS digital broadcast, the program table of a ground wave broadcast, and a WEB program table into a new display configuration which increases the amount of information on the programs without regard to the display configuration of each of the programs. Furthermore, a program-table creation unit creates display data according to the new display configuration and outputs the display data.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2003Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Shunsuke Kunieda, Shingo Utsuki, Keiichi Yoshioka, Kae Nagano
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Patent number: 7685618Abstract: A technique for broadcasting a broadcast data service together with broadcast digital television data as part of a broadcast signal, the broadcast data service comprising a plurality of data portions including data portions having digital data in non-real time. The technique comprising, during normal broadcasting, only broadcasting portions of the broadcast data service required to replace previous respective portions which have been changed and broadcasting television data of the broadcast data service as non-real time data.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2000Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Sony United Kingdom LimitedInventor: Adrian Charles Paskins
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Patent number: 7669221Abstract: A TV broadcast cooperative type data perusal apparatus is provided that can establish connection to websites in which is provided information related to the subject matter of a program that is being broadcast, and can simply peruse the information related to the subject matter from these websites, even when no website address information is appended as descriptor information for searching to the program being broadcast, provided that the information related to the subject matter in the program being broadcast is appended to the program as the descriptor information for searching.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2004Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hirohide Tachikawa
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Patent number: 7661121Abstract: A method and apparatus for recognizing and synchronizing to in-band data at a multimedia device is provided. A content stream includes in-band data. The in-band data is processed and in-band data pattern data associated with the content stream are created. Metadata are attached to the event identification data. The event identification data are provided to multimedia devices which receive broadcasted multimedia content streams containing video programs with in-band data. The in-band data are processed and compared to the event identification data. If a match occurs, the multimedia device uses the metadata to perform specified actions.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2006Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Tivo, Inc.Inventors: Kevin P. Smith, Paul Stevens, Adam Feder, James M. Barton
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Patent number: 7657916Abstract: A dual mode file system in a subscriber network television system, comprising a memory with logic, and a processor configured with the logic to use remote data to support the processor until the logic detects that local data is available.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2001Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Arturo A. Rodriguez, Dean F. Jerding
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Patent number: 7657913Abstract: A digital video system, method, and computer program product for correcting corrupted digital video transport streams is described. The digital video system may include a digital cable, digital broadcast satellite (DBS), high definition television (HDTV), or video-on demand (VOD) system. In a VOD system, a VOD client at each receiver is capable of subscribing to one or more VOD sessions. The headend includes a video server and a control server that is coupled to the video server. The video server transmits one or more VOD sessions to one or more receivers over a transport stream. The control server can also cause the video server to transmit one or more dummy sessions to maintain a predetermined minimum bandwidth of content over the transport stream. Alternatively, the headend can transmit one or more null packets having a randomized payload, as necessary, to maintain a constant bit rate over the transport stream.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2001Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.Inventor: Leo Mark Pedlow, Jr.
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Patent number: 7634797Abstract: An open cable set-top box diagnosing system in which a point of deployment (POD), separated from a main circuit unit, having a newly defined interface is used to check an operation state of an open cable set-top box, transmits the checked state to a predetermined server, according to which the operation state of the open cable set-top box is diagnosed. The open cable set-top box diagnosing system includes an open cable set-top box for checking its own operation state by using a diagnosis resource by a communication protocol between a point of deployment (POD) separated from the main circuit unit and the main circuit, and a head end for providing a service corresponding to a request signal received from the open cable set-top box or providing a broadcast program to the open cable set-top box, and checking the operation state of the open cable set-top box.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Hwa Young Yun
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Patent number: 7614067Abstract: A content reproduction apparatus functioning to (a) reproduce broadcast program content (“BC”), being image, sound, and other data, that has been received, (b) store commercial content (“CC”), being data such as commercials, announcements, and the like, and (c) cancel the reproduction of the CC during specified broadcast programs.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Hiroko Sugimoto, Tomohiko Kitamura
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Patent number: 7607152Abstract: A system for more efficient utilization of the finite bandwidth available for distribution of interactive program guide (IPG) video sequences. The system utilizes a session manager and a transport stream generator to enable a set top terminal to access an entire array of guide pages from the IPG within the constraints imposed by the limited bandwidth available in the distribution network. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a system that includes a session manager (SM) and a transport stream generator (TSG) within a distribution control center. The SM monitors and controls usage of demand-cast stream bandwidth within the distribution network. The TSG receives information from the SM on each demand-cast stream. The information includes which set top terminals, if any, are currently acquiring the stream. The TSG uses the information to control the demand-cast streams multiplexed into the transport stream for distribution to the set top terminals.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2000Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.Inventors: Donald F. Gordon, Sadik Bayrakeri, Edward A. Ludvig, Eugene Gershtein, Jeremy S. Edmonds, John P. Comito, Alfred Li
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Patent number: 7607149Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering interactive television (ITV) data by using the same TV scan line that also carries closed caption data. The ITV data is inserted into the scan line with CC data by detecting a gap associated with a first CC data unit. If the gap is large enough to contain all of the group of ITV data units then electronically insert the entire group of ITV data units into the gap. If the gap is not large enough to contain the entire group of ITV data units, insert a subset of the entire group of the ITV data units into the gap and continue to the gaps associated with successive CC data units, inserting subsets of the ITV data into subsequent gaps until the entire ITV message has been inserted into the gaps between CC data units.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2001Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: GoldPocket Interactive, Inc.Inventors: Samuel T. Barone, Jr., Drake Smith, David Davis, Thomas Stone
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Patent number: 7607160Abstract: An open cable set-top box diagnosing system in which a point of deployment (POD), separated from a main circuit unit, having a newly defined interface is used to check an operation state of an open cable set-top box, transmits the checked state to a predetermined server, according to which the operation state of the open cable set-top box is diagnosed. The open cable set-top box diagnosing system includes an open cable set-top box for checking its own operation state by using a diagnosis resource by a communication protocol between a point of deployment (POD) separated from the main circuit unit and the main circuit, and a head end for providing a service corresponding to a request signal received from the open cable set-top box or providing a broadcast program to the open cable set-top box, and checking the operation state of the open cable set-top box.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2006Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Hwa Young Yun
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Patent number: 7607159Abstract: An open cable set-top box diagnosing system in which a point of deployment (POD), separated from a main circuit unit, having a newly defined interface is used to check an operation state of an open cable set-top box, transmits the checked state to a predetermined server, according to which the operation state of the open cable set-top box is diagnosed. The open cable set-top box diagnosing system includes an open cable set-top box for checking its own operation state by using a diagnosis resource by a communication protocol between a point of deployment (POD) separated from the main circuit unit and the main circuit, and a head end for providing a service corresponding to a request signal received from the open cable set-top box or providing a broadcast program to the open cable set-top box, and checking the operation state of the open cable set-top box.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2004Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Hwa Young Yun
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Patent number: 7607157Abstract: A video signal receiver receives a plurality of video channels simultaneously carrying, offset by a transmission interval, a single video program, selects one channel from which to obtain the program for display to a user, and achieves a pause function in the display of the transmitted video program by temporarily storing a segment of the video program equal to the length of the transmission interval and obtaining the remainder of the program at a later time from the same or another channel.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1999Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Hajime Inoue, Yukio Kubota, Toshimichi Nagashima, Akira Shimazu, Keiji Kanota
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Patent number: 7603687Abstract: EPG services are provided, which enables a device such as a computer, a set top box or the like to collect EPG data from multiple EPG data providers or sources. The EPG data is collected at the device by EPG loaders. Each EPG loader collects EPG data from a particular source. The EPG loaders deliver the EPG data to a writer module, which performs scaling and formatting functions to the EPG data. The writer module also stores the scaled and formatted EPG data in a database or other storage. Once stored, applications gain access to the EPG data through a control module. The writer module may also be implemented by chaining EPG loaders in a priority scheme. However, EPG loader interaction reduces independence and forces more rigid interface and implementation constraints upon the design of EPG loaders. The control module provides the accessed EPG data to the applications. EPG services function to isolate the operation of the applications from the EPG data sources.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2005Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Michael E. Pietraszak, Robert M. Fries, Robert S. T. Gibson, Jonathan A. Wray
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Patent number: 7603692Abstract: An open cable set-top box diagnosing system in which a point of deployment (POD), separated from a main circuit unit, having a newly defined interface is used to check an operation state of an open cable set-top box, transmits the checked state to a predetermined server, according to which the operation state of the open cable set-top box is diagnosed. The open cable set-top box diagnosing system includes an open cable set-top box for checking its own operation state by using a diagnosis resource by a communication protocol between a point of deployment (POD) separated from the main circuit unit and the main circuit, and a head end for providing a service corresponding to a request signal received from the open cable set-top box or providing a broadcast program to the open cable set-top box, and checking the operation state of the open cable set-top box.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2004Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Hwa Young Yun
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Patent number: 7603691Abstract: An open cable set-top box diagnosing system in which a point of deployment (POD), separated from a main circuit unit, having a newly defined interface is used to check an operation state of an open cable set-top box, transmits the checked state to a predetermined server, according to which the operation state of the open cable set-top box is diagnosed. The open cable set-top box diagnosing system includes an open cable set-top box for checking its own operation state by using a diagnosis resource by a communication protocol between a point of deployment (POD) separated from the main circuit unit and the main circuit, and a head end for providing a service corresponding to a request signal received from the open cable set-top box or providing a broadcast program to the open cable set-top box, and checking the operation state of the open cable set-top box.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2004Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: LG Electronic, Inc.Inventor: Hwa Young Yun
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Patent number: 7587745Abstract: An open cable set-top box diagnosing system in which a point of deployment (POD), separated from a main circuit unit, having a newly defined interface is used to check an operation state of an open cable set-top box, transmits the checked state to a predetermined server, according to which the operation state of the open cable set-top box is diagnosed. The open cable set-top box diagnosing system includes an open cable set-top box for checking its own operation state by using a diagnosis resource by a communication protocol between a point of deployment (POD) separated from the main circuit unit and the main circuit, and a head end for providing a service corresponding to a request signal received from the open cable set-top box or providing a broadcast program to the open cable set-top box, and checking the operation state of the open cable set-top box.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Hwa Young Yun
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Patent number: 7587741Abstract: An open cable set-top box diagnosing system in which a point of deployment (POD), separated from a main circuit unit, having a newly defined interface is used to check an operation state of an open cable set-top box, transmits the checked state to a predetermined server, according to which the operation state of the open cable set-top box is diagnosed. The open cable set-top box diagnosing system includes an open cable set-top box for checking its own operation state by using a diagnosis resource by a communication protocol between a point of deployment (POD) separated from the main circuit unit and the main circuit, and a head end for providing a service corresponding to a request signal received from the open cable set-top box or providing a broadcast program to the open cable set-top box, and checking the operation state of the open cable set-top box.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2004Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Hwa Young Yun