Patents Examined by Oschta Montoya
  • Patent number: 8458755
    Abstract: Media content, based on a predetermined set of constraints, from a content provider is delivered to a local cache of a user device before viewing the media. A client asset manager process resides in the user device, an asset list at the content provider site, and the media assets are located at a remote site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott F. Watson, Eric C. Haseltine, Eric Freeman, Elisabeth M. Freeman, Aaron P. LaBerge, Adam T. Fritz
  • Patent number: 8443388
    Abstract: A device for receiving a broadcasting program and a method for displaying a favorite channel may be disclosed. A method for displaying a favorite channel in a device for receiving a broadcasting program includes presetting a favorite program viewing standard time; identifying whether a key signal is inputted by a user, displaying a broadcasting program received from a selected channel; detecting a viewing time of the program based on the inputted key signal; comparing the detected program viewing time with the preset viewing standard time; and registering the broadcasting program with a favorite program list based on the result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Kyung Dug Hong
  • Patent number: 8434110
    Abstract: A method and system for generating an electronic program guide includes a receiving unit 28 having a controller module 60. The controller module 60 receives television content and electronic programming guide data. The controller module 60 separates the program guide data from the television content and stores the program guide data. The controller 60 determines user preferences and changes a display of the electronic program guide in response to the user preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Sharkey
  • Patent number: 8413187
    Abstract: A method to obtain visual content items matched to scheduled programs comprising: providing a program guide display that includes a grid with grid locations that identify scheduled programs, and that correspond to respective a scheduled program air times and a respective program sources; wherein the program guide extends over a time frame prior to the current date; providing an icon associated with a grid location that indicates that a visual content item matched to the program identified by the grid location currently is available; providing an identifier that is encoded in computer readable storage device and that is associated with the grid location and that indicates a location where the visual content item can be obtained; and accessing the location indicated by the identifier in response to a user selection of the grid location associated with the icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Frontier Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Eric E. Del Sesto, Tony T. Chan, Michael Luton
  • Patent number: 8407749
    Abstract: A television receiver system and corresponding method, the television receiver system comprising: a television receiver for receiving broadcast television signals, signal processing apparatus operable to process the received television signals for output to a television screen, and a control device allowing a user to select a viewing activity by controlling the output to the television screen. The television receiver further comprises a memory storing a communication client application; and communications processing apparatus operable to execute the communication client application. The client application is programmed so as when executed to allow the user to establish bidirectional communications with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network, and to provide notifications to the user of incoming communication events from other users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Skype
    Inventors: Mark McLaughlin, Ben Dove, Marek Laasik, Madis Kaal
  • Patent number: 8407753
    Abstract: An Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) manufacturer and/or IPTV device user may configure and upload the profile of the IPTV into an IPTV server. The IPTV server filters the playable contents delivered to the IPTV as necessary to match downloaded playlists and links with the IPTV profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Jenke Wu Kuo
  • Patent number: 8402501
    Abstract: A set top box 22 includes a communication module 102 receiving a remote control configuration database having a remote control associated therewith. The set top box 22 further includes a display control module 116 forming a screen display in response to the remote control configuration database. An interface 110 forms selections in response to the screen display and a display control module displays programming instructions for the remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorge H. Guzman, Kim W. Schulze
  • Patent number: 8402491
    Abstract: A TV program searching apparatus includes: an image receiving unit that receives an image having additional information from an external device; an additional information reading unit that reads the additional information from the image received from the image receiving unit; and a TV program searching unit that searches for a TV program related to the additional information using the additional information read by the additional information reading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyeon-ji Lee, Joon-hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 8392942
    Abstract: Multiple segment identifiers associated with a single item of content and substitute content associated therewith can be utilized as a mechanism to provide content substitution using multiple content formats by utilizing a segment routing state machine. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Brant L. Candelore, Leo M. Pedlow, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8392951
    Abstract: A mobile terminal including a communication unit configured to communicate with an external server associated with the mobile terminal; a display unit configured to display a video; and a controller configured to receive a detection request signal requesting an object in the video be detected, to detect the object in the video upon receiving the detection request signal, to retrieve history timing information about when the object was detected in the displayed video, and to display the history timing information on the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Il-Yong Park, Seong-Pyo Hong, Jae-Ho Na
  • Patent number: 8381238
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an image analyzing unit performing a process of analyzing an image shot by a camera, a voice analyzing unit performing a process of analyzing voice input from a microphone, and a data processing unit receiving inputs of an analysis result of the image analyzing unit and an analysis result of the voice analyzing unit and controlling information to be output to a user. The data processing unit determines an output mode of the information to be provided to the user based on user information obtained from at least either one of the image analysis result and the voice analysis result, and system state information, and outputs the information to the user in the determined output mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akane Sano, Ugo Di Profio, Tsutomu Sawada, Kouichi Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8365217
    Abstract: A method for managing the detection of advertising sequences in a stream of information stored on a mass memory module of an electronic apparatus, the information stream corresponding to an extract of a television program, the information stream including a first set of information corresponding to a content to be rendered and a second set of information, corresponding to the advertising sequences, the information stream including at least one set of video information, and teletext type data, and subtitle data associated with the stream, the method including analyzing the video information for detecting a format transition in the images associated with the video information; optionally storing a first address information corresponding to the detected transition, and validating a first detection condition; analyzing the teletext type data for detecting an absence, and then a presence, of teletext subtitles associated with the video information, optionally storing a second address information corresponding to t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sagemcom Broadband SAS
    Inventor: Mickaƫl Legrand
  • Patent number: 8365229
    Abstract: A method for mapping signaling information to announcement information and a broadcast receiver are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Hyung Song, Jong Yeul Suh, Chul Soo Lee, Gomer Thomas, Jin Pil Kim, Ho Taek Hong, Joon Hui Lee
  • Patent number: 8345164
    Abstract: A video switching apparatus has a plurality of slots each for mounting any of a first input module capable of inputting any one of a plurality of predetermined types of video signals and performing processing, content of which varies depending on the type of input video signal and a second input module capable of inputting only predetermined one type of video signal. The video switching apparatus switches and outputs video signals of a plurality of channels input to the input modules mounted to the plurality of slots. The video switching apparatus includes an input setup data memory processor, a detector, and an input setup changer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akimitsu Hio, Yuuichi Hayatsu, Norimasa Ozaki, Naomi Itoh
  • Patent number: 8319892
    Abstract: For providing a technology for preferably achieving high resolution of video signals of a video signal or moving video, with a small number of frames thereof, a video signal processing apparatus comprise an input unit to be inputted a plural number of video frames, a resolution converter unit, having resolution converting characteristics differing from each other, depending on a direction thereof, by composing 2 pieces of the video frames from the inputted video frames, thereby increasing a number of pixels making up the video frames, and a mixer unit for obtaining the output video frame by mixing output results of the resolution converter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kageyama, Koichi Hamada, Shigeki Nagaya
  • Patent number: 8272020
    Abstract: Media content, based on a predetermined set of constraints, from a content provider is delivered to a local cache of a user device before viewing the media. A client asset manager process resides in the user device, an asset list at the content provider site, and the media assets are located at a remote site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott F. Watson, Eric C. Haseltine, Eric Freeman, Elisabeth M. Freeman, Aaron P. LaBerge, Adam T. Fritz
  • Patent number: 8269900
    Abstract: A mobile studio for producing video and audio content includes a vehicle having a body mounted on a chassis. The body includes a studio chamber enclosure formed by a floor, a ceiling, spaced opposite outer side walls and spaced outer front and rear walls, and the floor includes a stage area. The mobile studio further includes at least one LED lighting assembly located in the studio chamber enclosure that is suitable for providing sufficient illumination for image capture such that a captured image is suitable for projection as a Pepper's Ghost image, at least one camera to capture an image of a subject on the stage area and generate the captured image, and a communications device to transmit the captured image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Musion IP Limited
    Inventor: Ian O'Connell
  • Patent number: 8266648
    Abstract: A media guidance application is provided by which users can view program listings associated with programming that the user may access using other user equipment devices. The media guidance application, implemented on, for example, a remote system, may determine through communications with television equipment whether or not the television equipment is authorized to provide a particular package of television programming to be viewed by the user. For example, an online program guide application may determine whether or not television equipment allows a user to view particular channels and, based on that determination, proceed to determine what packages of programming the user subscribes to. A customized program guide may then be displayed based on what programming the user subscribes to on various systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Alan Olague, Kuan Hidalgo Archer, Christopher Strader
  • Patent number: 8261309
    Abstract: A mobile entertainment system includes a video system in combination with a media source. The video system and media source are housed within a housing secured within an automobile. The media source includes a storage medium upon which audio and video media content is stored for display upon the video system as desired by a user. A wireless global communication network access point is mounted within the automobile, wherein the media source includes wireless communication capabilities permitting communication with the wireless global communication network access point for retrieval of audio and video media content for display upon the video monitor. A remote library of audio and video media content is in wireless communication with the media source via the wireless access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Audiovox Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher J. Vitito
  • Patent number: 8250619
    Abstract: A broadcast signal reception method and a reception system are provided. The reception system includes a first processor, a second processor, and a storage medium. The first processor receives and processes a signaling table, the signaling table comprising first signaling information including access information of Non-Real-Time (NRT) service data and second signaling information including media object association information of the NRT service data. The second processor receives the NRT service data and processes a file including the received NRT service data based on the access information and the media object association information processed by the first processor. The storage medium stores the processed file of the NRT service data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Hyung Song, Chul Soo Lee, Jin Pil Kim, Jong Yeul Suh, Joon Hui Lee