Patents Examined by Oschta Montoya
  • Patent number: 8806564
    Abstract: A request to transfer a consumer electronics (CE) executable application from a consumer electronics device to a TV device is received at the TV device. The CE executable application is received from the consumer electronics device. Application state information associated with the executable CE application is received from the consumer electronics device. The executable CE application and the application state information are stored to a memory. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Guru Prashanth Balasubramanian, Kalyana Kota, Utkarsh Pandya
  • Patent number: 8789123
    Abstract: Information on content supplied in various forms is monitored for a long period, and a user is notified of the information with a method with which the user can easily remember the information. A content notification system includes: a search key storage server configured to receive image data on content, and store the image data; an information collection server configured to read out the image data from the search key storage server, perform a search through a network based on the image data to find a new form in which the content is supplied, and collect information on the content supplied in the new form; and one or more user terminal devices each configured to receive the image data used for the search from the information collection server and the information, and display the information together with the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Fukui
  • Patent number: 8769562
    Abstract: A digital broadcast method includes receiving audio and video data that form a predetermined content for digital broadcasting; receiving related data indicating a content related to the predetermined content; performing a control that transmits the received related data to a data receiving device prior to transmitting the received audio data and video data; receiving the audio and video data that form the predetermined content and the related data of the predetermined content that have been subject to the control; changing a viewing channel in response to a changing instruction of the viewing channel from a viewer; and outputting, when the viewing channel is changed from a first channel number to a second channel number at the changing and then changed to the first channel number again, the received related data with audio and video data corresponding to the first channel number to an output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Shunsuke Kobayashi, Atsushi Ichiki, Akira Nakagawa, Kiyoshi Kohiyama
  • Patent number: 8769583
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating channels dedicated to a particular type of content. The method includes acquiring seed content and using the seed content in the creation or updating of a content list. Additional content for the channel is acquired based on the common features of the content list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Network Entertainment International LLC
    Inventors: Charles McCoy, True Xiong, Ling Jun Wong
  • Patent number: 8763043
    Abstract: Disclosed are a digital TV and a method for controlling same. The method for controlling a digital TV according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: displaying a user interface (UI) capable of selecting the standby mode for a power-off operation; and disconnecting the power source for a display panel so as to enter the standby mode when the standby mode is set through the UI in the power-off operation, and a power-off command is received. The standby mode includes a lower standby mode based on the operation of the digital TV and a network function, and the digital TV in the standby mode stops AV channel communication and performs SI channel communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Changhun Sung, Hyunsang Park, Taegil Cho, Woohyun Paik, Kwanhee Lee
  • Patent number: 8763066
    Abstract: An analog television signal data delivery system provides a television program, called a data show, that is transmitted across standard television broadcast methods to data needy client systems, such as settop boxes, at certain times of the day. When the data show is recorded and specially demodulated it provides the client system with raw digital data to perform required or enhanced functions. Binary digital data is modulated into each frame of the data show. Each of the 480 scan lines in a frame have data modulated into it. Each scan line in the frame contains two bytes which yields 28800 bytes/sec. This high transfer rate results in an efficient data transfer method that is cost effective and easily broadcast. Another preferred embodiment of the invention designates some regions of the active video picture to contain visible images and other regions of the active picture to contain data. The non-data portions can be placed anywhere on the viewable frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Moskowitz
  • Patent number: 8756625
    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: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Alan Olague, Kuan Hidalgo Archer, Christopher Strader
  • Patent number: 8732737
    Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms described herein facilitate the performance of geographic context weighted content recommendation. According to various embodiments, information identifying one or more viewing events or actions detected in association with a designated content management account at a media system may be received. The one or more viewing events or actions may have associated therewith location information indicating a location at which the one or more viewing events or actions occurred. The designated content management account may provide access to a plurality of media content items via the media system. The designated content management account may be associated with a geographic viewing profile. The geographic viewing profile may designate one or more of the plurality of media content items for recommendation in association with the designated content management account. The geographic viewing profile may also designate a geographic context for recommending the designated media content items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: MobiTV, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Kalmes, Mark Jacobson, Tim Lynch
  • Patent number: 8732783
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for providing additional information by using an extension subtitle file including an inverse multiplexing unit to separate video and audio data from a multimedia file input by a data input unit, an XML parser to parse a caption data file and an additional information data file input by the data input unit, video and audio data processing units to decode the video and audio data input by the inverse multiplexing unit, and convert the decoded video and audio data into predetermined video and audio signals, a caption processing unit to process the caption data parsed and input by the XML parser, an additional information data processing unit to process the additional information data file parsed and input by the XML parser, and to generate user interface information based on the processed additional information, and a data output unit to display the processed video, audio, caption and user interface information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-won Kwak, Chun-un Kang, Min-woo Jung, Chang-nam Chu, Jae-sung Park, Dae-hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 8726328
    Abstract: A broadcast receiver receives a packetized stream. The broadcast receiver extracts display time information from the header of the received packetized stream, and extracts preparation trigger information including a target service identifier from the payload of the received packetized stream. If a current time is a preparation time designated by the extracted display time information, the broadcast receiver starts to prepare an object corresponding to the target service identifier for activation at a later time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sanghyun Kim, Kwansuk Kim, Dongwan Seo, Jongyeul Suh, Joonhui Lee
  • Patent number: 8726304
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and computer program products are provided to facilitate enhanced use and interaction with multimedia content that is based on a time-varying evaluation of the multimedia content. While a content is being presented on a first device, timing information identifying temporal locations of content segments are extracted and transmitted to a database along with a user's evaluation feedback of the multimedia content. The user then receives a response corresponding to feedback provided by a plurality of consumers of the multimedia content on a segment-by-segment basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Verance Corporation
    Inventors: Rade Petrovic, Patrick George Downes
  • Patent number: 8726313
    Abstract: A device receives an identification of a series to schedule automatic recording of episodes that are currently airing or that will be airing in the future, receives an instruction to automatically retrieve previously aired episodes of the scheduled series based on the scheduling of the automatic recording of the episodes that are currently airing or that will be airing in the future. The device searches content, based on receipt of the instruction, to retrieve previously aired episodes of the scheduled series. The device records at least one episode of the scheduled series, and presents the recorded at least one episode of the scheduled series and the previously aired episodes of the scheduled series such that a user may select and play the at least one episode of the scheduled series or the previously aired episodes of the scheduled series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Anil Krishna Guntupalli, Sameer Vasant Gavade, Shafiq Kassam, Venkata S. Adimatyam
  • Patent number: 8719856
    Abstract: A method of processing an interactive service and an apparatus includes generating an application parameter table including a first identifier and a second identifier, wherein the first identifier identifies a interactive programming segment which application parameter table pertains to, and wherein the second identifier identifies an application within the scope of application parameter table; generating an activation message file that indicates at least one of activation times of the applications, wherein the activation message file includes a third identifier and activation messages, wherein the third identifier matches the first identifier of application parameter table which contains the applications, wherein the activation message includes a fourth identifier and a start time information, wherein the fourth identifier matches the second identifier of the application in the application parameter table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sejin Oh, Byungsun Park, Kyoungsoo Moon, Gomer Thomas, Seungjoo An, Jinwon Lee, Jinpil Kim, Kyungho Kim, Aettie Ji
  • Patent number: 8719888
    Abstract: Techniques for delivering content, such as videos, over a network are described. A core server and an edge server are provided. The core server has local storage. The edge server has local storage. A set of video frames is partitioned into a first group and a second group. Video frames in the first group are encoded into a scalable encoded stream. The scalable encoded stream is sent to the local storage at the edge server. The second group of video frames is encoded into a set of supplemental encoded streams using the scalable encoded stream as a reference. The supplemental encoded streams are encoded such that the bit rate and/or resolution of any two supplemental encoded streams is different. The set of supplemental encoded streams is stored in the storage of the core server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Yaowu Xu, James Bankoski, Paul Gordon Wilkins
  • Patent number: 8713600
    Abstract: A method is performed using a smart TV, which receives from a television signal source device a television signal feed encoding primary television content and then presents that content. The smart TV receives data via the computer network, including first data representing a to-be-replaced portion of the primary television content and second data representing secondary television content. Using the second data, the smart TV automatically presents the secondary television content in place of the to-be-replaced television content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Almondnet, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy Shkedi
  • Patent number: 8695042
    Abstract: Method and system for enabling users to perform self-service operations in interactive TV environments. In one embodiment, the method enables users to select and activate programming channels via a content receiving device, thereby eliminating the need for the users to have to call a call center or content provider to activate previously unavailable or inaccessible content. Using a set of interactive screens, the user is enabled to view programming channel information, including comparative information. In one embodiment, the method assists users who are moving to activate/reactive programming and content services. For example, options are provided to enable the user to schedule service work, disconnect and activate services, and other activities connected with the move. In another embodiment, the method enables a user to select a programming channel based on channels that are recommended by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: JLB Ventures, LLC
    Inventors: Dan Kikinis, Yakov Kamen, Brian Kimball
  • Patent number: 8687121
    Abstract: The invention provides data for display on the display area for a child frame when the child frame is synthesized and displayed on the parent frame in picture-in-picture playback in order to give the displayed area of the child frame in conformity with the video content in the parent frame, as well as providing a video display apparatus etc. for displaying the child frame at an appropriate displayed position using the data for display. A video display apparatus 1 includes: decoders 101 and 103 for decoding two sets of video data; a synthesizer 105 for synthesizing the decoded videos to output; an input unit 108 for commanding display/non-display of the child frame; a processing controller 109 for controlling the operations of decoders 101 and 103 in accordance with the command; and a position designator 110 which receives the command and the data for display and time information and designates the displayed position of the child frame to the synthesizer 105.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuichi Watanabe, Jiro Kiyama, Takayoshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8671434
    Abstract: An approach is provided for supporting messaging services via a set-top box. A set-top box establishes communications with a user device. The set-top box receives a message from the user device, and stores the message for inclusion in a messaging log. The set-top box presents content of the messaging log via a display coupled to the set-top box. According to one embodiment, the set-top box receives network address information of the user device, maps the network address information to location information, and retrieves information from a data repository based on the location information. In another embodiment, the user device acquires information about a program being experience by a user via the set-top box, and generates a message to provide presence status information to a social network service based on the program information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Balamuralidhar Maddali, T. Sahaya George, Sivasankari S. Venkataramamoorthy, Varaprasad Meka, Thalha Yasir Refaye, RajKumar Panneerselvam, Raju Ramakrishnan, Madankanth Lanka, Naman Patel, Abhishek Malhotra, Chaitanya Kumar Behara, Anil Kumar Yanamandra
  • Patent number: 8667523
    Abstract: A process for providing a print-augmented broadcast signal for transmission to one or more convention broadcast receiver includes receiving a broadcast signal comprising a program portion for a particular broadcast program and a non-program portion. Supplemental content which is associated with the program content of the particular broadcast program is additionally received. Next, the supplemental content is combined onto the non-program portion of the broadcast signal to form a print-augmented broadcast signal, the print-augmented broadcast signal comprising the program content, which can be rendered on a conventional broadcast receiver, and the supplemental content, which is printable on-demand at a destination conventional broadcast receiver substantially concurrently with the rendering of the program content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Ajay Gupta
  • Patent number: 8667520
    Abstract: The MOBILE CONTENT TRACKING PLATFORM METHODS (“Mobile-Track”) transforms TV program schedule listing information and user channel selection via Mobile-Track components, into TV audience viewing data and ad effects data. A method is disclosed, comprising: obtaining TV program schedule listing data; providing the obtained TV program schedule listing data to a user mobile device; receiving an indication of user channel selection; determining a media program associated with the received indication of user channel selection; determining an ad associated with the determined media program; providing a survey question related to the determined ad to the user mobile device; and receiving a user response to the survey question.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Symphony Advanced Media
    Inventors: Manish Bhatia, Michael Scott Saxon, Nigel Stephen Pratt, Pyeush Gurha