Patents by Inventor Charlie W. Zetterower

Charlie W. Zetterower 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: 9571888
    Abstract: The document discloses a method for communicating information, such as audiovisual data and other information to a user. The method includes receiving a broadcast signal on a content receiver. The broadcast signal includes a video signal and a graphical signal, and the graphical signal includes a matrix barcode. After the content receiver receives the broadcast signal, the content receiver determines whether the matrix barcode should be displayed. The determination that the matrix barcode should be displayed may be based on the geographic location of the content receiver or user settings/preferences stored on the content receiver. If the matrix barcode should be displayed, the content receiver creates and outputs a modified signal. The modified signal includes the video signal with the matrix barcode overlaid on top of the video signal. If the matrix barcode should not be displayed, the content receiver outputs the broadcast signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Steven M. Casagrande, Charlie W. Zetterower, Max S. Gratton
  • Publication number: 20120206648
    Abstract: The document discloses a method for communicating information, such as audiovisual data and other information to a user. The method includes receiving a broadcast signal on a content receiver. The broadcast signal includes a video signal and a graphical signal, and the graphical signal includes a matrix barcode. After the content receiver receives the broadcast signal, the content receiver determines whether the matrix barcode should be displayed. The determination that the matrix barcode should be displayed may be based on the geographic location of the content receiver or user settings/preferences stored on the content receiver. If the matrix barcode should be displayed, the content receiver creates and outputs a modified signal. The modified signal includes the video signal with the matrix barcode overlaid on top of the video signal. If the matrix barcode should not be displayed, the content receiver outputs the broadcast signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Steven M. Casagrande, Charlie W. Zetterower, Max S. Gratton
  • Patent number: 5539452
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for the simultaneous transmission of video information and audio information in substantially real time over an ordinary voice grade telephone line having limited bandwidth in the range of about 300-3400 Hz. Because of the limited bandwidth of the ordinary telephone line, the video and audio information are compressed before transmission thereof. Each of the video information and audio information is separately compressed, mixed together and then further compressed. After the further compression, a composite signal, which includes the mixture of video and audio information, is asynchronously transmitted over the same bandwidth of the ordinary telephone line. Upon reception, the compressed information is expanded and separate video information and audio information are reproduced for viewing and hearing by the receiving party. To reduce the size of the apparatus, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) are employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Alkanox Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel R. Bush, Ashok Patel, Charlie W. Zetterower
  • Patent number: 5347305
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for the simultaneous transmission of video information and audio information in substantially real time over an ordinary voice grade telephone line having limited bandwidth in the range of about 300-3400 Hz. Because of the limited bandwidth of the ordinary telephone line, the video and audio information are compressed before transmission thereof. Each of the video information and audio information is separately compressed, mixed together and then further compressed. After the further compression, a composite signal, which includes the mixture of video and audio information, is asynchronously transmitted over the same bandwidth of the ordinary telephone line. Upon reception, the compressed information is expanded and separate video information and audio information are reproduced for viewing and hearing by the receiving party. To reduce the size of the apparatus, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) are employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Alkanox Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel R. Bush, Ashok Patel, Charlie W. Zetterower