Patents by Inventor Bernard A. McCarthy, III

Bernard A. McCarthy, III has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10219037
    Abstract: Techniques described herein relate to providing and controlling the output of physical conditioning video resources based on user and location monitoring data. In various embodiments, a receiver may receive physical conditioning videos from one or more video content providers. After receiving the physical conditioning videos, the receiver may analyze and determine various characteristics of the videos, and corresponding user-specific criteria or video interruption conditions that may be applied when a user plays and interacts with the videos. Then, in response to a user request to commence a physical conditioning video, the receiver may analyze personal user monitoring data and/or location monitoring data, and may use the monitoring data to determine the user's current readiness level to complete the physical conditioning video. The receiver then may control the output of the physical conditioning videos based on the user's current readiness level, along with various other user data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: DISH Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III
  • Patent number: 10063641
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a systems and methods for finding wireless signals sufficient for installation of wireless home automation devices. Before such home automation devices are installed, or during the process of installing such home automation devices, the remote-control device of a wireless home automation hub may detect whether a suitable wireless signal is able to be received from the home automation hub or from a wireless repeater device at various locations on the customer premises and indicate that on the remote-control device. The remote control device may continue to display such an indication regarding the signal, or lack thereof, as the user moves about the customer premises with the remote control. In this manner, the user may find what locations on the customer premises are suitable for installation of home automation devices to communicate wirelessly with the home automation hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies International Corporation
    Inventors: Bernard A. McCarthy, III, David B. Lett, George Horkan Smith, Allan Richard Bly, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9967614
    Abstract: Systems and methods for suspending alert notifications at an electronic device may include receiving an instruction to suspend alerts for an event at the electronic device. The electronic device may access a separate information source including information associated with the event. The electronic device may also determine from the accessed information a time at which the event will end, and suspend alert notifications until the determined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III
  • Publication number: 20180091598
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a systems and methods for finding wireless signals sufficient for installation of wireless home automation devices. Before such home automation devices are installed, or during the process of installing such home automation devices, the remote-control device of a wireless home automation hub may detect whether a suitable wireless signal is able to be received from the home automation hub or from a wireless repeater device at various locations on the customer premises and indicate that on the remote-control device. The remote control device may continue to display such an indication regarding the signal, or lack thereof, as the user moves about the customer premises with the remote control. In this manner, the user may find what locations on the customer premises are suitable for installation of home automation devices to communicate wirelessly with the home automation hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Bernard A. McCarthy, III, David B. Lett, George Horkan Smith, Allan Richard Bly, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180070136
    Abstract: Techniques described herein relate to providing and controlling the output of physical conditioning video resources based on user and location monitoring data. In various embodiments, a receiver may receive physical conditioning videos from one or more video content providers. After receiving the physical conditioning videos, the receiver may analyze and determine various characteristics of the videos, and corresponding user-specific criteria or video interruption conditions that may be applied when a user plays and interacts with the videos. Then, in response to a user request to commence a physical conditioning video, the receiver may analyze personal user monitoring data and/or location monitoring data, and may use the monitoring data to determine the user's current readiness level to complete the physical conditioning video. The receiver then may control the output of the physical conditioning videos based on the user's current readiness level, along with various other user data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III
  • Patent number: 9800901
    Abstract: Techniques for facilitating recording of media content events by media devices on remote storage devices are described. Some embodiments provide a remote storage manager as part of a media device, such as a set-top box. In one embodiment, the remote storage manager causes a media content event to be recorded on a remote persistent storage device by receiving the media content event from a program distributor, and then transmitting the media content event to the remote persistent storage device. In another embodiment, the remote storage manager instructs the remote persistent storage device to obtain the media content event from the program distributor, so that the remote persistent storage device can record the media content event without the media content event first being received by the remote storage manager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III
  • Patent number: 9772612
    Abstract: Various arrangements for monitoring and control applications are presented. A television receiver may be configured to monitor sensor reading and or provide signals to control units for monitoring and home automation applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Echostar Technologies International Corporation
    Inventors: Bernard A. McCarthy, III, Charles Y. Thomason, IV, Henry Caughman, Thomas P. Olley
  • Patent number: 9620170
    Abstract: A television receiver may detect during a primary recording of particular programming degradation of a received signal quality associated with the particular programming to at or below a predetermined threshold value. The television receiver may instantiate a secondary recording of the particular programming during the primary recording when the particular programming is accessible over at least one terrestrial network. The television receiver may query a computing system to acquire content associated with at least one gap in content within the primary recording present due to received signal quality. The television receiver may output during playback of the primary recording a notification to enable access to the secondary recording when content associated with the at least one gap in content within the primary recording is unavailable over the at least one terrestrial network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III
  • Publication number: 20160269757
    Abstract: Techniques for facilitating recording of media content events by media devices on remote storage devices are described. Some embodiments provide a remote storage manager as part of a media device, such as a set-top box. In one embodiment, the remote storage manager causes a media content event to be recorded on a remote persistent storage device by receiving the media content event from a program distributor, and then transmitting the media content event to the remote persistent storage device. In another embodiment, the remote storage manager instructs the remote persistent storage device to obtain the media content event from the program distributor, so that the remote persistent storage device can record the media content event without the media content event first being received by the remote storage manager.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III
  • Publication number: 20160254025
    Abstract: A television receiver may detect during a primary recording of particular programming degradation of a received signal quality associated with the particular programming to at or below a predetermined threshold value. The television receiver may instantiate a secondary recording of the particular programming during the primary recording when the particular programming is accessible over at least one terrestrial network. The television receiver may query a computing system to acquire content associated with at least one gap in content within the primary recording present due to received signal quality. The television receiver may output during playback of the primary recording a notification to enable access to the secondary recording when content associated with the at least one gap in content within the primary recording is unavailable over the at least one terrestrial network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III
  • Publication number: 20160191990
    Abstract: Systems and methods for suspending alert notifications at an electronic device may include receiving an instruction to suspend alerts for an event at the electronic device. The electronic device may access a separate information source including information associated with the event. The electronic device may also determine from the accessed information a time at which the event will end, and suspend alert notifications until the determined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III
  • Patent number: 9368157
    Abstract: A television receiver may detect during a primary recording of particular programming degradation of a received signal quality associated with the particular programming to at or below a predetermined threshold value. The television receiver may instantiate a secondary recording of the particular programming during the primary recording when the particular programming is accessible over at least one terrestrial network. The television receiver may query a computing system to acquire content associated with at least one gap in content within the primary recording present due to received signal quality. The television receiver may output during playback of the primary recording a notification to enable access to the secondary recording when content associated with the at least one gap in content within the primary recording is unavailable over the at least one terrestrial network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III
  • Patent number: 9363538
    Abstract: Techniques for facilitating recording of media content events by media devices on remote storage devices are described. Some embodiments provide a remote storage manager as part of a media device, such as a set-top box. In one embodiment, the remote storage manager causes a media content event to be recorded on a remote persistent storage device by receiving the media content event from a program distributor, and then transmitting the media content event to the remote persistent storage device. In another embodiment, the remote storage manager instructs the remote persistent storage device to obtain the media content event from the program distributor, so that the remote persistent storage device can record the media content event without the media content event first being received by the remote storage manager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III
  • Patent number: 9258616
    Abstract: Techniques for facilitating shopping for items shown in media content events are described. Some embodiments provide a shopping facilitator as part of a media device, such as a set-top box. As the media device presents a media content event showing multiple items, the shopping facilitator is configured to receive an indication that a viewer is interested in purchasing one of the multiple items. The shopping facilitator then identifies the item of interest, and at a later time provides a shopping facility that can be can be used by the viewer or some other user to purchase the item. In some embodiments, the media content event is presented without any indication that items shown in the media content event are for sale. Furthermore, the shopping facilitator may perform its functions without interrupting or otherwise disrupting the viewing of the media content event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III
  • Publication number: 20150264443
    Abstract: Techniques for facilitating shopping for items shown in media content events are described. Some embodiments provide a shopping facilitator as part of a media device, such as a set-top box. As the media device presents a media content event showing multiple items, the shopping facilitator is configured to receive an indication that a viewer is interested in purchasing one of the multiple items. The shopping facilitator then identifies the item of interest, and at a later time provides a shopping facility that can be can be used by the viewer or some other user to purchase the item. In some embodiments, the media content event is presented without any indication that items shown in the media content event are for sale. Furthermore, the shopping facilitator may perform its functions without interrupting or otherwise disrupting the viewing of the media content event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III
  • Publication number: 20150179221
    Abstract: A television receiver may detect during a primary recording of particular programming degradation of a received signal quality associated with the particular programming to at or below a predetermined threshold value. The television receiver may instantiate a secondary recording of the particular programming during the primary recording when the particular programming is accessible over at least one terrestrial network. The television receiver may query a computing system to acquire content associated with at least one gap in content within the primary recording present due to received signal quality. The television receiver may output during playback of the primary recording a notification to enable access to the secondary recording when content associated with the at least one gap in content within the primary recording is unavailable over the at least one terrestrial network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III
  • Publication number: 20150160636
    Abstract: Various arrangements for monitoring and control applications are presented. A television receiver may be configured to monitor sensor reading and or provide signals to control units for monitoring and home automation applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Bernard A. McCarthy, III, Charles Y. Thomason, IV, Henry Caughman, Thomas P. Olley
  • Publication number: 20150161452
    Abstract: Various arrangements for monitoring and control applications are presented. A television receiver may be configured to monitor sensor reading and or provide signals to control units for monitoring and home automation applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Bernard A. McCarthy, III, Henry Caughman
  • Publication number: 20150163411
    Abstract: Various arrangements for monitoring and control applications are presented. A television receiver may be configured to monitor sensor reading and or provide signals to control units for monitoring and home automation applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Bernard A. McCarthy III, Henry Caughman
  • Patent number: 9047632
    Abstract: Techniques for facilitating shopping for items shown in media content events are described. Some embodiments provide a shopping facilitator as part of a media device, such as a set-top box. As the media device presents a media content event showing multiple items, the shopping facilitator is configured to receive an indication that a viewer is interested in purchasing one of the multiple items. The shopping facilitator then identifies the item of interest, and at a later time provides a shopping facility that can be can be used by the viewer or some other user to purchase the item. In some embodiments, the media content event is presented without any indication that items shown in the media content event are for sale. Furthermore, the shopping facilitator may perform its functions without interrupting or otherwise disrupting the viewing of the media content event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III