Patents Examined by Reuben M. Brown
  • Patent number: 7941822
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: CBV, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl Hennenhoefer, Richard V. Snyder, Robert D. Stine
  • Patent number: 7930711
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Wegener Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Pelkey, Jeff Simyon
  • Patent number: 7917927
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Hugh Boyd Morrison, Anthony Edward Stuart, Robert Joseph Logan, Charles Bryan Hunt, Megan Louise Brown, Jill Suzanne Allen
  • Patent number: 7917922
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventors: Barry H. Schwab, John G. Posa
  • Patent number: 7900224
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: RPX-LV Acquisition LLC
    Inventors: Jeffry Jovan Philyaw, David Kent Mathews
  • Patent number: 7886324
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hajime Inoue, Tatsuya Wakahara, Naoki Murayama, Masao Mizutani
  • Patent number: 7870574
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventors: Stephen C. Kenyon, Laura Simkins
  • Patent number: 7856644
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Road Runner HoldCo LLC
    Inventors: Robert D. Nicholson, Barrie A. Saunders
  • Patent number: 7827581
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: BE Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Tuvia Eiger, Uriel Berchin
  • Patent number: 7805747
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Corporate Media Partners
    Inventors: Walter R. Klappert, William J. Sequeira
  • Patent number: 7730509
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Invidi Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel A. Boulet, Daniel C. Wilson, Bruce J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7707617
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Microtune (Texas), L.P.
    Inventor: Vince Birleson
  • Patent number: 7665111
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Barton, Brian Beach
  • Patent number: 7653921
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Cormac Herley
  • Patent number: 7653925
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Hull, Michael Baxter, Pamela Gage, Jamey Graham, Dar-Shyang Lee, Peter E. Hart
  • Patent number: 7644422
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Daozheng Lu, David H. Harkness, Manish Bhatia, Jerome Samson, William A. Feininger
  • Patent number: 7634788
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Comcast IP Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: Donald F. Gordon, Sadik Bayrakeri, Joseph R. Wild, Jeremy S. Edmonds, Edward A. Ludvig, John P. Comito, Eugene Gershtein
  • Patent number: 7617515
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: VIXS Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Indra Laksono
  • Patent number: RE41707
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Funakoshi
  • Patent number: RE42026
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Index Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Levine