Patents Examined by Ricky Chin
  • Patent number: 10154299
    Abstract: Split-type televisions provided in this invention relate to the field of television, and separately configures the master control module and the display in the television, the display is mainly used to play the audio and video data, and the master control module is mainly used to receive and process the audio and video data; the master control module and the display are separately configured in the physical structure, thus it allows users to carry out the operations like repairing, maintenance, upgrading and replacement on them separately; at the same time, since the display (the screen terminal) is provided with the power adapter for the master control module, and as long as the master control module is connected to the display, the power adapter will be able to supply power to the master control module, thus achieving the master control module and the display configured separately share the same power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: AMLOGIC (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: John Zhong, Mike Yip, Kevin Chen, Robin Zhu
  • Patent number: 10148992
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to manage recording of streaming packetized content (such as for example live IP packetized content) for access, retrieval and delivering thereof to one or more users. In one embodiment, the foregoing is accomplished via communication between a recording manager and a receiver/decoder device. The recording manager manages and schedules recording of content on behalf of the receiver/decoder device (and/or mobile devices) disposed at a user's premises. The recording manager runs one or more computer programs designed to receive requests to record packetized content from one or more consumer devices, and use metadata contained within the requests to cause a cloud storage entity or premises storage device to record the content at its scheduled date/time (either via the receiver/decoder device itself, or another network entity).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: George Sarosi, Wilfred Jaime Miles, Chris Cholas
  • Patent number: 10142696
    Abstract: There is provided a system having a memory and a processor to establish a viewing group having a plurality of users, provide an ordered list of a plurality of media contents, make a first media content in the ordered list of the plurality of media contents available for viewing by each of the plurality of users in the viewing group, track a viewing progress of the first media content by each of the plurality of users in the viewing group, and make a second media content in the ordered list of the plurality of media contents available for viewing by each of the plurality of users in the viewing group based on one or more rules related to the viewing progress of the first media content by each of the plurality of users in the viewing group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Josiah Eatedali, Mark Arana
  • Patent number: 10123076
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a mobile communication device having a controller to receive a broadcast of media content from a first media source using a first communication protocol, display the media content on the mobile communication device, determine whether the media content exceeds one or more parameter thresholds when the media content is available to a display device from a second media source where the one or more parameter thresholds are based at least in part on the media content available from the second media source and where the display device is remote from the mobile communication device, and commence streaming of the media content from the mobile communication device to the display device when the media content exceeds the one or more parameter thresholds. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Spondon Dey
  • Patent number: 10123086
    Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for communication between a plurality of client devices of a broadcast system. The communication may be, for example, a recommendation of a program that is communicated from one subscriber to another subscriber or subscribers via their client devices. The communication also may be a comment regarding a program, for example, recently viewed at the client device of the one subscriber. In general, the communication may be a message from one subscriber to another subscriber or subscribers. Further, the communication may be configured to perform a function on one or more other client devices. Such a function may include, but is not limited to, setting a timer to record a program, ordering or purchasing a program or service, cancelling an ordered/purchased program or service, setting or altering user preferences, controlling access to channels, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: DISH Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Christopher St. John-Larkin, David A. Kummer, John Anthony Card, II
  • Patent number: 10097895
    Abstract: A content providing apparatus, system, and method for recommending content. The method includes: receiving user information from a display apparatus; determining whether a terminal apparatus of a user is registered, based on the received user information; when the terminal apparatus is determined to be registered, determining whether recommended content for the user exists, based on pattern information about content usage of the user and content information; and when the recommended content for the user is determined to exist, transmitting a notification message for the recommended content to the terminal apparatus. Therefore, utilization of a notification service for recommended content is further improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD
    Inventors: Young-seok Han, Won-seok Ahn, Hyung-keuk Lee, Jae-hyeok Choi
  • Patent number: 10097897
    Abstract: Systems and methods described herein relate to an enhanced program guide for programs that are broadcast according to a defined schedule. Program titles included in the guide can be ordered based on a relevance rank or score, potentially with no other parameter employed in determining a position of a program title within the guide. Presentation of the guide can be independent of a time axis or dimension and a channel axis or dimension. Titles can be displayed in a manner that is independent of a start time or running length of the associated program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Allan Funk, Przemek Drochomirecki, Grzegorz Glowaty, Jacek Jakub Surazski
  • Patent number: 10085060
    Abstract: A system monitors cinema playing content and generates movie-viewing statistics. The method includes, among other steps: acquiring screen brightness and projection ambient brightness or a video; comparing the acquired screen brightness and the projection ambient brightness or discriminating the video; activating, after it is determined that a film begins to be projected, an acquisition and recognition device of the terminal equipment to acquire the played audio and video content and acquire an auditorium infrared picture during projection; comparing, by the acquisition and recognition device, the acquired audio and video content with a monitoring database to obtain the projected content, recognizing, by the acquisition and recognition device, human bodies in the acquired auditorium infrared picture during projection to count the number of audiences; and associating or combining, by the acquisition and recognition device, the projected content obtained through comparison with the counted number of audiences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: FieldView International, LLC
    Inventor: Mufeng PangZe
  • Patent number: 10075757
    Abstract: A system is disclosed that relates to a system for creating a multi-sensory environment room and more particularly to a system that enables the environment of a room to be selectively controlled to provide an integrated multi-sensory experience which includes video, sound and ambient scent technology which are all directed to a common theme which can be selectively customized. The multi-sensory environment room provides a calming and memorable setting that can showcase the decedent's life in a refreshing, upbeat setting. For example, a visual of waves crashing at the shore paired with the smell of fresh, salty air and the sounds of seagulls and surf of a special place shared with the decedent. Alternately, the environment can be personalized with sounds and scents that recreate the family memories or a patriotic theme that can highlight your loved one's values and devotion to country. A custom or stock video can be displayed using the ‘picture within a picture’ feature to customize the experience even more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: FOUNDATION PARTNERS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: David Ugan, E. Braiden Rex
  • Patent number: 10075741
    Abstract: A system for layered local caching of downstream shared media in a hierarchical tree network arrangement includes a first network node on a first distribution network having a first caching controller. The first network node configured to store a video segment transmitted on the first distribution network based on a first instruction received by the first caching controller from a central caching controller communicatively coupled to the first distribution network. The central caching controller is located upstream from the first network node. The system includes a second network node on a second distribution network having a second caching controller and communicatively coupled to the first network node. The second network node configured to store a video segment transmitted on the second distribution network based on a second instruction received by the second caching controller from the first caching controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Li, Xuemin Chen
  • Patent number: 10051344
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, training of a neural network or other prediction model may be facilitated via live stream concept association. In some embodiments, a live video stream may be loaded on a user interface for presentation to a user. A user selection related to a frame of the live video stream may be received via the user interface during the presentation of the live video stream on the user interface, where the user selection indicates a presence of a concept in the frame of the live video stream. In response to the user selection related to the frame, an association of at least a portion of the frame of the live video stream and the concept may be generated, and the neural network or other prediction model may be trained based on the association of at least the portion of the frame with the concept.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: CLARIFAI, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Zeiler, Daniel Kantor
  • Patent number: 10034060
    Abstract: A display apparatus is provided. The display apparatus includes: a display unit; a signal processor which is configured to process an image signal to be displayed as an image on the display unit; a communicator which is configured to communicate with an external network; and a controller which is configured to perform an initial setup service to provide a user with a plurality of setup stages for adjusting a plurality of functions of the display apparatus, deduce an installation region of the display apparatus based on network information when the network information for the communicator to communicate with the external network is setup in execution of the initial setup service, and automatically perform at least part of the setup stages based on information on the deduced installation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wan-su Kim
  • Patent number: 10028007
    Abstract: A home screen display unit arranges and displays a plurality of content icons indicating a plurality of pieces of content in a first area in a content zone screen. If a specific content icon is focused on by the cursor and if a preset determination operation is performed, a content playback unit starts playback of the content indicated by the focused icon. If a specific content icon is focused on by the cursor, a related information acquiring unit acquires related information relating to the content that is indicated by the focused icon that is registered in an external device from the external device without starting playback of the content. A home screen display unit displays the acquired related information in a second area of the content zone screen and displays, if related information is updated, the updated related information in the second area so as to replace the related information displayed until that moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: George Arriola, Anahi Bagu Casas, Shinji Kimura, Shigeru Enomoto, Yasuhiro Yamanaka, Motoki Kobayashi, Shuji Hiramatsu, Yumiko Tanaka, Taku Sugawara
  • Patent number: 10003829
    Abstract: A cabin service system may include a control module unit, a pair of power rails, the power rails being configured to provide mechanical attachment and electrical power to the control module unit, and a plurality of cabin services, wherein the control module is communicatively coupled to the plurality of cabin services to provide control of the plurality of cabin services. The control module unit may include a plurality of communication ports, and a plurality of relays coupled to at least one communication port of the plurality of communication ports, wherein each communication port of the plurality of communication ports corresponds to at least one cabin service of the plurality of cabin services, and wherein each relay of the plurality of relays provides discrete control of an associated cabin service of the plurality of cabin services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Yakentim M. Ibrahim, Donald B. Lee
  • Patent number: 10003839
    Abstract: Set top boxes (STBs) in a cable system are configured on a box-by-box basis to facilitate beta and trial testing of new or updated services. STBs are assigned to deployment groups identified by a deployment group identifier. Features configurations including hierarchies of features can be defined individually for different deployment groups. Configuration files for provisioning the STBs are provided by a cable system head end according to the deployment group the STB is assigned to. STBs can be configured at the time they boot and register with the system or in a “hot” manner to avoid rebooting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: CSC Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Neill
  • Patent number: 9967628
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rating videos based on parental feedback axe presented. In an aspect, a method is provided that includes providing supervisory users respectively having a supervisory role over other users access to watch histories of respective ones of the other users and receiving feedback from the supervisory users regarding appropriateness of a video for the other users, respectively. The method further includes determining an age rating for the media item based on an average age of the other users that the feedback indicates the video is appropriate for, and recommending the video to a user for watching based on the user having an age that satisfies the age rating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Shiva Jaini, Kevin Dame, Bosun Adeoti, Charles Thomas Curry
  • Patent number: 9955215
    Abstract: The present technology concerns cell phones and other portable devices, and more particularly concerns use of such devices in connection with media content (electronic and physical) and with other systems (e.g., televisions, digital video recorders, and electronic program directories). Some aspects of the technology allow users to easily transfer displayed content from cell phone screens onto a television screens for easier viewing, or vice versa for content portability. Others enable users to participate interactively in entertainment content, such as by submitting plot directions, audio input, character names, etc., yielding more engaging, immersive, user experiences. Still other aspects of the technology involve a program directory database, compiled automatically from information reported by network nodes that watch and identify content traffic passing into (and/or out of) networked computers. By identifying content resident at a number of different repositories (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce L. Davis, Tony F. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9948969
    Abstract: User-generated advertisements are distributed to client devices in a video content distribution network. For example, a client device may receive a user-generated advertisement, which is associated with one or more categories. The user-generated advertisement is associated with a channel based on a category of the advertisement. One or more channels of user-generated advertising, corresponding to the one or more categories, may be provided to a client device. Optionally, user-generated advertisements may be associated with a geographical identifier and distributed to client devices in a geographical region corresponding with the geographical identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Sling Media PVT. LTD.
    Inventor: Neeraj Prasad
  • Patent number: 9948980
    Abstract: In one general aspect, a method can include receiving, by a computing device, a selection of a group of devices that receive content under control of the computing device, and identifying a first device and a second device included in the group of devices. The computing device and each device included in the group of devices can be connected to a network. The first and second devices can be available to receive content, under the control of the computing device, from a server connected to the network that is remote from the group of devices and the computing device. The method can include providing an indication that the content be provided to the first device by the server and providing an indication that at least a portion of the content be provided to the second device synchronously with the providing of the content to the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Adam Glazier, Tomer Shekel
  • Patent number: 9948979
    Abstract: A user terminal and a control method thereof, in which contents may be shared with a simple input are provided. The user terminal includes a display configured to display a screen of a content, a communicator configured to communicate with another device, a user input configured to receive a user's input, and a controller configured to determine one transfer mode among a plurality of transfer modes for transferring contents based on information about the contents being executed in one of the user terminal and the other device, and controls the executing content that is transferred between the user terminal and the other device in the determined one transfer mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-chan Park, Kang-min Lee, Seok-min Oh