Patents by Inventor Bernard A. McCarthy
Bernard A. McCarthy 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).
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Patent number: 9368157Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III
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Patent number: 9363538Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III
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Patent number: 9258616Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 1, 2015Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III
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Publication number: 20150264443Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III
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Publication number: 20150205576Abstract: Volume limiting systems and methods are operable to limit volume output from media presentation devices. An exemplary embodiment detects a sound using a microphone, wherein the sound corresponds to an audio output of at least one controlled media presentation device, and wherein the microphone is remotely located from the at least one controlled media presentation device; compares a level of the detected sound with a predefined maximum volume limit; generates a volume output limit command in response to the detected sound exceeding the predefined maximum volume limit; and communicates the volume output limit command to the media presentation device. The media presentation device then reduces a volume level of its audio output. In some instances, volume may be limited during user specified periods.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2015Publication date: July 23, 2015Applicant: EchoStar Techonogies L.L.C.Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy
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Publication number: 20150179221Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2013Publication date: June 25, 2015Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III
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Publication number: 20150160636Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2014Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: Bernard A. McCarthy, III, Charles Y. Thomason, IV, Henry Caughman, Thomas P. Olley
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Publication number: 20150163411Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2014Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: Bernard A. McCarthy III, Henry Caughman
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Publication number: 20150161452Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2014Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: Bernard A. McCarthy, III, Henry Caughman
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Patent number: 9047632Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 21, 2011Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III
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Patent number: 8995685Abstract: Volume limiting systems and methods are operable to limit volume output from media presentation devices. An exemplary embodiment detects a sound using a microphone, wherein the sound corresponds to an audio output of at least one controlled media presentation device, and wherein the microphone is remotely located from the at least one controlled media presentation device; compares a level of the detected sound with a predefined maximum volume limit; generates a volume output limit command in response to the detected sound exceeding the predefined maximum volume limit; and communicates the volume output limit command to the media presentation device. The media presentation device then reduces a volume level of its audio output. In some instances, volume may be limited during user specified periods.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy
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Publication number: 20140082677Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III
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Patent number: 8584178Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 21, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III
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Publication number: 20120272268Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2011Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III
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Publication number: 20120272283Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2011Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy, III
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Publication number: 20110293113Abstract: Volume limiting systems and methods are operable to limit volume output from media presentation devices. An exemplary embodiment detects a sound using a microphone, wherein the sound corresponds to an audio output of at least one controlled media presentation device, and wherein the microphone is remotely located from the at least one controlled media presentation device; compares a level of the detected sound with a predefined maximum volume limit; generates a volume output limit command in response to the detected sound exceeding the predefined maximum volume limit; and communicates the volume output limit command to the media presentation device. The media presentation device then reduces a volume level of its audio output. In some instances, volume may be limited during user specified periods.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2010Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHONOGIES L.L.C.Inventor: Bernard A. McCarthy
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Patent number: 3970559Abstract: A drain guard is disclosed having a tubular body with a funnel-shaped portion at its upper end. The tubular body has an annular recess extending about the inside periphery thereof proximate the bottom end of the guard. The recess receives a sealing grommet therein for sealing the space between a tube on which the guard is positioned and the inner periphery of the tubular portion of the guard. Stop lugs are positioned about the inner periphery of the tubular portion of the guard at the junction of the funnel-shaped end portion thereof for limiting the upward movement of the tube on which the guard is positioned through the drain guard. A liquid permeable seat is positioned on the funnel-shaped end portion of the drain to permit the ingress of water or other liquids with respect to the drain guard.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1974Date of Patent: July 20, 1976Inventors: Thomas Cannon, Frances G. H. Cannon, Jane E. H. Cowan, Bernard McCarthy