Patents Examined by Tariq Gbond
  • Patent number: 9210450
    Abstract: Entertainment systems for aircraft and other vehicles are described having a plurality of media players. The media players collectively store a full content set, with each media player storing only a fraction of the full content set. Each of the media players can be configured to index the full content set, such that media players can obtain missing content from other media players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Systems and Software Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Healy, Randall Bird, Kevin Cote, Rodney Farley
  • Patent number: 9131126
    Abstract: A method for repairing scratch impairments in which brightness values for a set of points within a narrow region of the impaired input image that is aligned with an expected scratch direction are modified in a scratch repair process; and the scratch repair process is controlled in dependence upon the relationship between the impaired brightness values and corresponding modified brightness values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Snell Limited
    Inventor: Martin Weston
  • Patent number: 9113190
    Abstract: A processor-implemented method, system and computer readable medium for intelligently controlling the power level of an electronic device in a multimedia system based on user intent, is provided. The method includes receiving data relating to a first user interaction with a device in a multimedia system. The method includes determining if the first user interaction corresponds to a user's intent to interact with the device. The method then includes setting a power level for the device based on the first user interaction. The method further includes receiving data relating to a second user interaction with the device. The method then includes altering the power level of the device based on the second user interaction to activate the device for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: John Clavin, John Tardif
  • Patent number: 9055314
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a video service provider system, a security markup assertion language (SAML) token encrypted for a partner federated security token service (FSTS) device from a client device. The method includes submitting the SAML token to the partner FSTS device in exchange for a partner SAML token. The partner SAML token is encrypted for a partner account device. The method also includes receiving the partner SAML token, and sending the partner SAML token to the client device. The client device is configured to request an access token from the partner account device based on the partner SAML token and to submit an encrypted message including credit card information to the partner account device based on the access token.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.
    Inventors: Fenglin Yin, Jack Jianxiu Hao
  • Patent number: 9043832
    Abstract: An early warning system is provided. The early warning system includes a plurality of sensors, a server, and an information appliance device. The sensors produce status information. The server produces event information according to the status information of the sensors, transforms the event information into a first multimedia signal, and transmits the first multimedia signal to the information appliance device through a computer network. The information appliance device is connected to a display device, wherein the information appliance device transforms the first multimedia signal into a second multimedia signal capable of displaying through the display device. The disclosure further provides an early warning server, an early warning method, and a computer program product for report information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Zhongshan Innocloud Intellectual Property Services Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shao-Wen Wang, Shih-Cheng Wang
  • Patent number: 9003462
    Abstract: An archive model can be used for managing networked storage of recorded content, such as network DVR (digital video recorder) content. Content may be initially recorded to an active storage device, with individual duplicate copies recorded for each requesting user, and subsequently archived to an archive storage device. For playback, the content can be reconstituted into the active storage device prior to delivery to the requesting user. Content can be predictively reconstituted in anticipation of user needs, and the reconstitution capacity of the system can be dynamically reallocated for load balancing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Walker, Bruce Bradley, Thomas Day, Robert Gaydos, John Leddy, Weidong Mao
  • Patent number: 8997137
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed include a method and a system. The method includes receiving a first media stream, in a first network device from a remote network device, using a first network protocol. The may method include converting the first media stream in real-time to a second media stream according to a second network protocol and transmitting the second media stream to a user device. The method may include receiving a first trick-mode command according to a first trick-mode protocol from the user device, wherein the first trick-mode command includes rewind, fast forward, or pause. The method may include converting the first trick-mode command into a second trick-mode command according to a second trick-mode protocol and transmitting the second trick-mode command to the remote network device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Montague Mathews, Michael P. Ruffini
  • Patent number: 8978056
    Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software related product (e.g., a computer readable memory) for controlling loading (e.g., pre-filling) of video data to a user equipment by a wireless network (e.g., from internet) while the video is played by the user equipment using an additional pre-filling based on predicted degradation of connectivity of the user equipment with the wireless network to avoid interruption or deterioration of playing the video and/or to reduce video data loading cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Nokia Siemens Networks Oy
    Inventors: Nandakishore Albal, John Harris
  • Patent number: 8973023
    Abstract: A disclosed example method to determine audience duplication in cross-media campaigns involves determining a first duplicated audience reach between a total television audience and an internet publisher audience for a demographic group. The total television audience is representative of audience members across a plurality of television networks, and the internet publisher audience is representative of audience members across one of a plurality of internet publishers. The example method involves determining a second duplicated audience reach between the total television audience and the internet publisher audience for a media campaign based on the first duplicated audience reach. The example method involves determining a third duplicated audience reach between a television network audience and the internet publisher audience for the media campaign based on the second duplicated audience reach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Kumar Nagaraja Rao, Peng Fei Yi, Seema Varma Srivastava, Peter Campbell Doe, Paul Donato, Mainak Mazumdar, David Wong
  • Patent number: 8887215
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for combining assets for a streaming video signal. Video assets are provided in an adaptive bit rate format. The video assets may comprise fragments of various types of video content. A stitched manifest identifying a combination of the video assets is created in response to a client request for one or more of the video assets. The stitched manifest is provided to a client and used by the client to request the combination of video assets for playback as one continuous video stream in an order specified by the stitched manifest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: RGB Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuval Fisher
  • Patent number: 8887208
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for capturing analog video broadcast, converting the analog signal to a digital signal and rebroadcasting of said digital signal so that the video stream can be accessed by wireless hand-held video imaging devices. The methodology and system includes at least one video receiver connected to a signal converter and transmitter for signal demodulation, transfer and conversion of signal for rebroadcast of signal wirelessly via WiFi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventors: David Aaron Merrit, Andrew John Zetts
  • Patent number: 8856856
    Abstract: A set top box is provided that has a low profile modular configuration that enables the control unit and storage unit to function independently from each other or as a combined unit. The set top box includes a control unit, a storage unit, and a connector positioned there between. The storage unit includes a housing and a plurality of storage bays for receiving storage modules having two parallel broad sides. The connector is positioned between the control unit and the storage unit and secures the control and storage units together. The connector has a vertical peripheral cross section substantially the same as a vertical peripheral cross section of the control unit and the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Sheldon George Phillips, Ben Crosby
  • Patent number: 8850505
    Abstract: A system for control of noise in a cable TV upstream path of a bi-directional cable TV home amplifier system that is positioned in the premises of the end user includes a noise control circuit and a coupler element that couples between the noise control circuit and the cable TV upstream path. The system further includes an amplifier part that is disposed on the upstream path. The noise control circuit connects or disconnects the cable TV upstream path depending on the level of signal passing through the cable TV upstream path. Namely, when the level of a signal that passes through the upstream path is lower than a predefined signal threshold, the noise control circuit disconnects the upstream path, and when the level of the signal is greater than a predefined signal threshold, the noise control circuit connects the upstream path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: David Zilberberg
  • Patent number: 8850492
    Abstract: According to embodiments described in the specification, a method, system and apparatus for delivering Non-Real-Time (NRT) data to a mobile electronic device are provided. The method comprises: storing the NRT data in a memory of a server, the NRT data comprising a multimedia file; storing at least one network identifier in the memory, the at least one network identifier identifying at least a portion of the multimedia file and a storage location of the multimedia file; formatting the NRT data using a processor of the server, wherein the formatting comprises generating header data including the at least one network identifier, and appending the multimedia file to the header data; and providing the formatted NRT data to broadcast equipment for broadcasting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: James Allen Hymel
  • Patent number: 8839317
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing one or more services such as video on-demand, switched digital video, or Internet services using shared bandwidth. Exemplary embodiments include methods and apparatus for providing video on-demand and switched digital video to a set of customer premise equipment devices using a first dedicated portion of the bandwidth to provide video on-demand services, a second dedicated portion of the bandwidth to provide switched digital video services, and a third portion of the bandwidth to provide both switched digital video and video on-demand services wherein the size of the bandwidth made available to provide video on-demand within the third shared portion of bandwidth varies as a function of requests for video on-demand and switched digital video services and the priorities of the new requests versus the existing operating services. Bandwidth management occurring in accordance with bandwidth sharing policies, priorities and rules generated by a bandwidth sharing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Remi F. Rieger, Tom Gonder, Paul D. Brooks
  • Patent number: 8832752
    Abstract: A processor-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product automatically selects broadcast content at a broadcast receiver. A first broadcast content on a first channel of a broadcast receiver is received and presented aurally and/or visually. A second broadcast content on a second channel of the broadcast receiver is evaluated to determine if it is rated higher than the first broadcast content. A determination is also made as to whether the first broadcast content can be interrupted by the second broadcast content. If the second broadcast content has a higher rating than the first broadcast content, and if it is deemed permissible to interrupt the first broadcast content, then the broadcast receiver automatically switches to the second channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sasa Cvijetic, Adrian X. Rodriguez, Felicia N. Soto
  • Patent number: 8826358
    Abstract: Back channel communications are contemplated. The back channel communications may relate to facilitating signaling from a primary device to one or more secondary devices. One contemplated type of back channel communication may include a service provider carrying the desired signaling to the secondary devices. This may occur without the primary device being aware of the secondary devices and/or without requiring the primary device to identify the secondary devices to the service provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cable Television Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Josiah J. Kirby, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8819753
    Abstract: A multi-functional display device and a method of controlling the same are disclosed herein. The multi-functional display device and method provides access to human channel services, such as social network services (SNS), on a designated channel on the display device. The method may include assigning channels for a multi-functional display device including assigning a first channel number to at least one broadcast channel, and assigning a second channel number to at least one social network service (SNS) account of one of a first individual and at least one second individual associated with the first individual. The method may include displaying a list of individuals with channel numbers on a display of the multi-functional display device in a social network service (SNS) channel mode, selecting one of the individuals on the list, and displaying information related to the individual or communicating with the selected individual using a SNS account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Uniyoung Kim, Saehun Jang, Gangseub Lee, Hyungnam Lee, Rajesh Nagaraj Rao
  • Patent number: 8813161
    Abstract: A method for transmitting service data of a handset TV is disclosed in the present invention, wherein, an audio part and a video part of a handset TV program are split into an audio sub-service and a video sub-service respectively, and when transmitting the service data of the handset TV program, a transmitting terminal splits the service data into audio sub-service data and video sub-service data; the transmitting terminal respectively transmits the audio sub-service data and the video sub-service data on different transmission resources, and transmits association relationship information of the audio sub-service and the video sub-service to a terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventor: Yong Lv
  • Patent number: 8595756
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for selling or licensing digital video clips includes receiving a first catalog image file representing first digital video in a raw image format and receiving a second catalog image file representing second digital video in a raw image format. The method further includes receiving a selection of the first catalog image file, a selection of one or more first parameters, and payment information for a purchase or a license of a first image file that is a version of the first catalog image file. At least one of the first parameters specifies a second format, and the first image file has the second format. The method further includes generating the first image file, where generating the first image file includes processing the first catalog image file based on the first parameters. The method further includes transmitting the first image file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Voxlibertum S.A.
    Inventors: Frederick Tschernutter, Olivier Boucard