Patents by Inventor Daniel J. Minnick

Daniel J. Minnick 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).

  • Apparatus for resolving recording timer conflicts
    Patent number: 8903226
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for displaying conflicts between two or more recording timers. Recording conflicts are displayed graphically for the user to resolve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Rudolph, Daniel J. Minnick, David A. Kummer, Wendell R. Blackman, Brent Tinker
  • Remote setting of recording timers
    Patent number: 8607297
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus to have a pay television distributor set timers for the user. The timers record programs either requested by the user or by the pay television distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David A. Kummer, Mark W. Jackson, Michael T. Dugan, Daniel J. Minnick
  • Device comprising multiple channel selectors
    Patent number: 8112784
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise a television converter device, such as a set-top-box (STB), that includes two or more channel selectors and the necessary control electronics to allow each of the multiple channel selectors to operate independently. STB embodiments of the present invention may be connected to and support one or more TVs. The STB embodiments allow each connected TV to receive television programming independent of what any other connected TVs may be receiving, at a significant cost savings over providing separate STBs for each TV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: EchoStar Corporation
    Inventors: Mark W. Jackson, Daniel J. Minnick, David A. Kummer, Mark H. Gomez, Kerry P. L. Miller, George C. Lewis
  • Method of providing standard definition local television content
    Patent number: 7697070
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed that automatically switch between displaying local standard definition television content and non-local, high definition television content. When the same television content is available for display in both standard and high definition formats, the television converter device preferentially displays the high definition format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventors: Michael T Dugan, Mark W Jackson, Daniel J. Minnick
  • Apparatus for Resolving Recording Timer Conflicts
    Publication number: 20090263101
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for displaying conflicts between two or more recording timers. Recording conflicts are displayed graphically for the user to resolve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Rudolph, Daniel J. Minnick, David A. Kummer, Wendell R. Blackman, Brent Tinker
  • Method and apparatus to display graphically recording timer conflicts
    Patent number: 7558469
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for displaying conflicts between two or more recording timers. These conflicts are displayed graphically for the user to resolve. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Rudolph, Daniel J. Minnick, David A. Kummer, Wendell Blackman, Brent Tinker