Patents Examined by Reuben M. Brown
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Patent number: 7941822Abstract: A plurality of intelligent device systems for use with a wideband signal distribution network, and methods for transmitting digital information and receiving digital and non-digital information onto and off of an RF carrier through a wideband signal distribution network, are disclosed. The intelligent device systems provide networks of intelligent devices that modulate and demodulate digital video, IP video/data/voice and digital wireless onto, and off of, a wideband signal distribution system, such as an analog carrier system, using existing EIA/TIA 568 standard wiring infrastructure. The methods modulate and demodulate digital video, IP video/data/voice and digital wireless onto, and off of, a wideband distribution system, such as an analog carrier system, and separate IP portions from non-IP portions.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2008Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: CBV, Inc.Inventors: Earl Hennenhoefer, Richard V. Snyder, Robert D. Stine
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Patent number: 7930711Abstract: In a content data distribution network, a system for directing control instructions to selected ones of a plurality of receivers. The system comprises a stored value, stored in a memory location reserved for at least one local parameter in each of the plurality of receivers. An uplink distributes to the plurality of receivers over said content data distribution network a transmitted value. The system compares the stored value and transmitted value such that a True value corresponds to the selected ones of the plurality of receivers at which the control instructions are to be executed. Comparisons may be made to functions of the stored values. Comparisons may be made to multiple stored values. Multiple comparisons may be connected together with boolean operators. The stored values can be changed by the transmitted control instructions.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2003Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Wegener Communications, Inc.Inventors: Gary L. Pelkey, Jeff Simyon
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Patent number: 7917927Abstract: A video processing apparatus may be controlled in response to selecting an advertisement displayed in connection with a productivity or communication application software program being operated on a video processing apparatus. The advertisement includes control information, which is used by the video processing apparatus to control an operating mode thereof. The control information may include both time and channel data as well as a recording data for programming a timer. Alternately, the control information may only include program data, which is passed to the electronic program guide to determine the time and channel information associated with the program data.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1999Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Hugh Boyd Morrison, Anthony Edward Stuart, Robert Joseph Logan, Charles Bryan Hunt, Megan Louise Brown, Jill Suzanne Allen
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Patent number: 7917922Abstract: An apparatus integrates a plurality of television signal sources into a cohesive audio/video environment. Internal provisions include a standard broadcast-frequency tuner, cable tuner as well as other optional inputs such as for a direct-broadcast satellite, previously recorded video material, etc. In the preferred embodiment, means are provided whereby a main or primary program channel may be linked to additional channels providing supplementary information to enhance resolution, sound quality, or to facilitate special effects.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1997Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Inventors: Barry H. Schwab, John G. Posa
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Patent number: 7900224Abstract: A method for delivering advertising to a consumer over a broadcast media/global communication network combination. An advertisement broadcast is generated comprised of a general program and associated advertising dispersed therethrough for broadcast over a broadcast media which is directed to a general class of consumers. Unique information is embedded in the broadcast for inducing a consumer to access a desired advertiser's location on the global network system over a personal computer-based system. The advertisement broadcast is then broadcast to the potential class of consumers with the embedded unique information therein.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1999Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: RPX-LV Acquisition LLCInventors: Jeffry Jovan Philyaw, David Kent Mathews
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Patent number: 7886324Abstract: In a system in which an IEEE 1394 interface is provided for an IRD, connected equipment can be easily selected and the operability is improved. Data can be transmitted among the equipment by providing the IEEE 1394 interface for the IRD. For example, five equipment units are selected from the equipment connected to the IEEE 1394 interface and node ID numbers are allocated to the five equipment units and registered. Thus, even if the equipment is removed from the interface and connected again, the IRD can recognize the equipment. The registration may easily be changed by user input. When the registration is changed, the change of the registration is inhibited among equipment units in which a program reservation has been set or the connected equipment. Thus, even if the registration is changed, an erroneous operation does not occur.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1999Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Hajime Inoue, Tatsuya Wakahara, Naoki Murayama, Masao Mizutani
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Patent number: 7870574Abstract: A method and system for the automatic identification of audio, video, multimedia, and/or data recordings based on immutable characteristics of these works. The invention does not require the insertion of identifying codes or signals into the recording. This allows the system to be used to identify existing recordings that have not been through a coding process at the time that they were generated. Instead, each work to be recognized is “played” into the system where it is subjected to an automatic signal analysis process that locates salient features and computes a statistical representation of these properties. These features are then stored as patterns for later recognition of live input signal streams. A different set of features is derived for each audio or video work to be identified and stored. During real-time monitoring of a signal stream, a similar automatic signal analysis process is carried out, and many features are computed for comparison with the patterns stored in a large feature database.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2007Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Inventors: Stephen C. Kenyon, Laura Simkins
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Patent number: 7856644Abstract: A method and system for providing selective advertising on a television channel is accomplished by downloading appropriate advertisements from an advertising server to a subscriber's set top box over an out-of-band channel. The set top box monitors for download triggers to provide advertisements to the subscriber's set top box and advertising triggers to insert advertisements when an advertising opportunity occurs. The advertisements can be downloaded in advance of any advertising triggers to a local storage means associated with the set top box, if available.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2000Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Road Runner HoldCo LLCInventors: Robert D. Nicholson, Barrie A. Saunders
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Patent number: 7827581Abstract: A customer premises installation has a wireless multimedia center (WMC) for reception from one or more signal sources and for distribution of segments of signals from signal sources through the wireless multimedia center to a plurality of end units, in which the signals include video signals and broadband data. The wireless multimedia center receives all the signals and distributes segments of said signals via a transmitter. The video signals are transmitted by orthogonal frequency division multiplexing in which all signals are added together and summed as an orthogonal array having dimensions of time, frequency and amplitude, to transmit spread spectrum multiplexed signals. Each pulse has sufficiently long individual pulse widths to defeat multi-path, reflection and absorption phase induced losses. The video signals are distributed to one or more end units. The end units communicate with the wireless multimedia center, controlling which segments of which signals are distributed to each end unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2001Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: BE Labs, Inc.Inventors: Tuvia Eiger, Uriel Berchin
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Method and system for providing interactive look-and-feel in a digital broadcast via an X-Y protocol
Patent number: 7805747Abstract: A system for providing an interactive look-and-feel in a digital video broadcast via an X-Y protocol is provided. At a head-end, video information is digitized and associated with private data, such as event identifications, X-Y coordinates, link event identification and synchronization data. This information is then transmitted to a receiving end and is input into a set-top box. The set-top box receives the broadcast digital signal and includes a member for receiving the broadcast digital signal and generating a playable signal including indicia of the link data. The playable signal is then played on a playing device. The user is provided with a remote control or similar input device for selecting from the indicia. Upon selection of a desired indicia, the user may exercise the predetermined link associated with the selected indicia in order to obtain the desired playable signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2001Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Corporate Media PartnersInventors: Walter R. Klappert, William J. Sequeira -
Patent number: 7730509Abstract: A system and method is provided for use in connection with delivering content that is targeted to users of a broadcast network. In order to select content that is targeted to users of the broadcast network, signals are received from a plurality of customer premise equipment devices (CPEs) of the network users via a broadcast network interface. Based on the received signals, broadcast assets (e.g., programming, advertisements etc.) are selected from a collection of available asset options. Accordingly, at least a portion of the selected assets are inserted into a content stream of the broadcast network. Once the content stream is broadcast over a broadcast network interface, at least a portion of the selected assets area available for receipt by at least a portion of the CPEs. The CPEs generate reports regarding assets delivered such that asset providers can be billed based on guaranteed targeted impressions.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2006Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Invidi Technologies CorporationInventors: Daniel A. Boulet, Daniel C. Wilson, Bruce J. Anderson
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Patent number: 7707617Abstract: A dual mode tuner/receiver is disclosed in which both analog and digital signals can be received and processed. A low pass filter allows all channels below a selected frequency enter the circuit. A precisely controlled dual conversion circuit creates an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. An automatic carrier detection circuit monitors the IF signal and determines whether the signal is of analog or digital format and intermediate frequency filters are adjusted based upon the type of signal detected. A coherent oscillator circuit generates in-phase and quadrature reference signals that are used by video and audio detectors for further processing of the IF signal. In-phase and quadrature outputs are provided for digital signals and composite video and audio outputs are provided for analog signals.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2003Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Microtune (Texas), L.P.Inventor: Vince Birleson
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Patent number: 7665111Abstract: A data storage management and scheduling system schedules the recording, storing, and deleting of television and Web page program material on a client system storage medium. The invention accepts as input a prioritized list of program viewing preferences which is compared with a database of program guide objects which indicate when programs of interest are actually broadcast. A schedule of time versus available storage space is generated that is optimal for the viewer's explicit or derived preferred programs. The preferred programs include television broadcast programs and Universal Resource Locators (URLs). The viewer may request that certain programs be captured, which results in the highest possible priority for those programs, or express preferences using appurtenances provided through the viewer interface. Preferences may additionally be inferred from viewing patterns.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1999Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: TiVo Inc.Inventors: James M. Barton, Brian Beach
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Patent number: 7653921Abstract: Many media streams contain “objects” that repeat. Repeating objects in a media stream are defined as any section of non-negligible duration, i.e., a song, video, advertisement, jingle, etc., which would be considered to be a logical unit by a human listener or viewer. An “object controller” identifies such repeating objects as they occur, and provides an interactive user interface for allowing users to specify how individual repeating objects are to be handled either in real time, or upon subsequent occurrences of particular repeating objects. In general, the object controller includes a mechanism for identifying repeating objects, a mechanism for identifying temporal endpoints of those objects, a user interface for specifying actions to be taken when a particular object repeats within a media stream, and, in one embodiment, a buffer having sufficient length to allow for real-time deletion of objects from the media stream without obvious interruption in the str.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2004Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventor: Cormac Herley
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Patent number: 7653925Abstract: Techniques for receiving information during multimedia presentations and for communicating the received information to one or more information access devices. A presentation recorder adapter receives information during a multimedia presentation and communicates the information to access devices. The adapter may receive multimedia presentation information, comprising video information and audio information, from a first source. The adapter may also receive information from a second source separate from the first source during the multimedia presentation. For example, the second source may be an attendee of the multimedia presentation. The adapter may transmit the multimedia presentation information received from the first source and the information received from the second source to one or more information access devices.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2000Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Jonathan J. Hull, Michael Baxter, Pamela Gage, Jamey Graham, Dar-Shyang Lee, Peter E. Hart
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Patent number: 7644422Abstract: A metering system meters usage of on-line and off-line services by way of interactive service devices. Interactive service devices may include personal computers and non-personal-computers. Non-personal-computers may include network computers, gaming devices, Internet televisions, Internet telephones, and the like. The on-line service usage may include Internet usage such as which home pages, advertisements, and other Internet resources are accessed by a user. The off-line service usage may include application program usage such as which application programs are executed by a user.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2002Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLCInventors: Daozheng Lu, David H. Harkness, Manish Bhatia, Jerome Samson, William A. Feininger
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Patent number: 7634788Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining video frame sequences with a video display of an interactive program guide (IPG). The apparatus comprises a plurality of compositors that combine background information, video frame sequences and program guide graphics into a single video frame sequence. The sequence is then digitally encoded to form an MPEG-like bitstream. The same background information and informational video is composited with a different program guide graphic to form another video sequence that is also encoded. A plurality of such sequences are produced with each sequence having a different program guide graphic. Each sequence is encoded and then multiplexed into a transport stream such that all the encoded sequences are transmitted to a subscriber's terminal using a single transport stream. As such, the subscriber can transition from one program guide to the next without interruption of the background or video display as the program guide graphic is changed.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2004Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Comcast IP Holdings I, LLCInventors: Donald F. Gordon, Sadik Bayrakeri, Joseph R. Wild, Jeremy S. Edmonds, Edward A. Ludvig, John P. Comito, Eugene Gershtein
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Patent number: 7617515Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing resources within a multimedia system includes processing that begins by receiving a client request for a multimedia system service from one of a plurality of clients. The processing continues by determining whether the client's request is valid for this particular client. The processing continues when the request is valid by determining whether the multimedia system has sufficient resources to fulfill the client request. The processing continues when the multimedia system has sufficient resources to fulfill the client request by allocating at least some of the sufficient resources to fulfill the client request based on a multimedia system resource allocation procedure, which insures that the resources of the system are allocated in an efficient manner.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2001Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: VIXS Systems, Inc.Inventor: Indra Laksono
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Patent number: RE41707Abstract: A digital broadcasting receiver capable of receiving HD (High Definition) broadcasting, SD (Standard Definition) broadcasting and the like. In the digital broadcasting receiver, a digital broadcasting signal subjected to demodulation is separated/divided in a transport unit before being supplied to decoders. Data on a packet ID included in the digital broadcasting signal is outputted from the transport unit. An MPU determines HD broadcasting or SD broadcasting according to the data on the packet ID and when the MPU determines the SD broadcasting, it instructs the transport unit to have a set subchannel displayed and also instructs an OSD control unit to make an OSD of the subchannel.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hideaki Funakoshi
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Patent number: RE42026Abstract: A video recorder, adapted for use in conjunction with a remotely controllable unit associated with television recording and/or viewing, contains a remote-control signal transmitter to transmit control codes to the associated unit, and means to analyze the operation of the associated unit in response to the control codes. An electronic controller causes the transmitter to transmit test codes to the associated unit, then analyzes the resulting operation of the associated unit to determine its control codes, which it stores in a memory for later use.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1996Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Index Systems, Inc.Inventor: Michael R. Levine