Patents by Inventor Dirk Gandolph

Dirk Gandolph 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).

  • Publication number: 20150205461
    Abstract: Multimedia content of exchangeable storage media, such as optical discs, may be extended by bonus content that is downloaded via Internet connection and stored on a local storage device. An improved method for integration of different menu items relating to on-disc content and downloaded content provides flexibility and a simple, low cost solution. The method for integration of downloaded bonus content into a menu comprises defining one or more placeholders within a menu, determining a storage location or naming convention for bonus content, declaring for each placeholder an attribute providing a unique association to a specific type of bonus content, providing a button image, detecting presence of bonus content data, replacing the associated placeholder by the associated button image and enabling an associated action to be taken when said button is selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Carsten Herpel, Jobst Höerentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters, Dirk Gandolph
  • Publication number: 20150205460
    Abstract: Multimedia content of exchangeable storage media, such as optical discs, may be extended by bonus content that is downloaded via Internet connection and stored on a local storage device. An improved method for integration of different menu items relating to on-disc content and downloaded content provides flexibility and a simple, low cost solution. The method for integration of downloaded bonus content into a menu comprises defining one or more placeholders within a menu, determining a storage location or naming convention for bonus content, declaring for each placeholder an attribute providing a unique association to a specific type of bonus content, providing a button image, detecting presence of bonus content data, replacing the associated placeholder by the associated button image and enabling an associated action to be taken when said button is selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Carsten Herpel, Jobst Höerentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters, Dirk Gandolph
  • Publication number: 20150179225
    Abstract: Consumer electronic devices, such as e.g. high-definition movie players for removable storage media such as optical discs, may provide possibilities for advanced interactivity for the user, implemented as software applications. A question arising generally with such software applications is what the life cycle of such an application is, and who may control it. The invention provides a method for executing software applications within a playback device for audio-video data, wherein data from a first removable storage medium are read for a software application to be executed within said playback device, and the data comprise an indication defining a termination condition for the application. Based on said termination code and depending on how the medium holding the application is ejected, the application is terminated or may survive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Dirk GANDOLPH, Carsten HERPEL, Jobst HOERENTRUP, Uwe JANSSEN, Ralf OSTERMANN, Hartmut PETERS, Andrej SCHEWZOW, Marco WINTER
  • Publication number: 20150149905
    Abstract: Optical storage media often contain data structures for a menu suitable for selection of a title, a chapter, a parameter or others. Such menus usually comprise a number of buttons to be displayed, with each button having a state. Possible states of buttons are “unselected”, “selected” or “activated”. According to the invention, the representation of a menu button may vary, depending on its state. An image or an image sequence, e.g. cartoon, may be associated to a buttons state, providing user animation. Further, a sound or sound sequence, e.g. melody or click, may be associated to a buttons state, and may be played back when the button enters this state. A data structure is disclosed which allows storage of such menu data e.g. on a Blu-ray disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Jobst HOERENTRUP, Dirk GANDOLPH, Ralf OSTERMANN, Harald SCHILLER, Hui LI
  • Publication number: 20150149903
    Abstract: Optical storage media often contain data structures for a menu suitable for selection of a title, a chapter, a parameter or others. Such menus usually comprise a number of buttons to be displayed, with each button having a state. Possible states of buttons are “unselected”, “selected” or “activated”. According to the invention, the representation of a menu button may vary, depending on its state. An image or an image sequence, e.g. cartoon, may be associated to a buttons state, providing user animation. Further, a sound or sound sequence, e.g. melody or click, may be associated to a buttons state, and may be played back when the button enters this state. A data structure is disclosed which allows storage of such menu data e.g. on a Blu-ray disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Jobst HOERENTRUP, Dirk GANDOLPH, Ralf OSTERMANN, Harald SCHILLER, Hui LI
  • Publication number: 20150149904
    Abstract: Optical storage media often contain data structures for a menu suitable for selection of a title, a chapter, a parameter or others. Such menus usually comprise a number of buttons to be displayed, with each button having a state. Possible states of buttons are “unselected”, “selected” or “activated”. According to the invention, the representation of a menu button may vary, depending on its state. An image or an image sequence, e.g. cartoon, may be associated to a buttons state, providing user animation. Further, a sound or sound sequence, e.g. melody or click, may be associated to a buttons state, and may be played back when the button enters this state. A data structure is disclosed which allows storage of such menu data e.g. on a Blu-ray disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Jobst HOERENTRUP, Dirk GANDOLPH, Ralf OSTERMANN, Harald SCHILLER, Hui LI
  • Publication number: 20150138191
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for generating superpixels for a sequence of images are described. A segmenter segments an image of the sequence of images into a set of initial superpixels. A motion analyzer then determines static and non-static areas in the sequence of images. Based on an output of the motion analyzer the segmenter generates updated superpixels for non-static areas of the sequence of images, and maintains those superpixels of the set of initial superpixels belonging to static areas of the sequence of images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Dirk GANDOLPH, Joern Jachalsky, Wolfram Putzke-Roeming
  • Patent number: 9021356
    Abstract: Multimedia content of exchangeable storage media, such as optical discs, may be extended by bonus content that is downloaded via Internet connection and stored on a local storage device. An improved method for integration of different menu items relating to on-disc content and downloaded content provides flexibility and a simple, low cost solution. The method for integration of downloaded bonus content into a menu comprises defining one or more placeholders within a menu, determining a storage location or naming convention for bonus content, declaring for each placeholder an attribute providing a unique association to a specific type of bonus content, providing a button image, detecting presence of bonus content data, replacing the associated placeholder by the associated button image and enabling an associated action to be taken when said button is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Carsten Herpel, Jobst Hoerentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters, Dirk Gandolph
  • Patent number: 9015626
    Abstract: A method for generating an on-screen menu comprising menu buttons and other menu items, e.g. help text, is characterized in that one or more groups of menu buttons or menu items are defined, wherein a group comprises one or more menu buttons or menu items and has associated a defined area on the screen. A state is assigned to a button, the state being “enabled” or “disabled”, wherein only an enabled button or item may be displayed, and wherein within a group not more than one button or item may be enabled. The state of a button can be changed by commands associated with other buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Jobst Hoerentrup, Dirk Gandolph, Carsten Herpel, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters
  • Publication number: 20150093019
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for generating temporally consistent depth maps for an image are described. A first retrieving unit retrieves a representation of an image from the sequence of images by segmentation regions resulting from a temporally consistent over-segmentation. In addition, a second retrieving unit retrieves a depth map associated to the image. A projecting unit then projects the segmentation regions of the image into the depth map associated to the image. Finally, a modifying unit modifies depth values of the depth map within one or more of the projected segmentation regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Wolfram PUTZKE-ROEMING, Dirk GANDOLPH, Joern JACHALSKY
  • Publication number: 20150095852
    Abstract: A method for generating an on-screen menu comprising menu buttons and other menu items, e.g. help text, is characterized in that one or more groups of menu buttons or menu items are defined, wherein a group comprises one or more menu buttons or menu items and has associated a defined area on the screen. A state is assigned to a button, the state being “enabled” or “disabled”, wherein only an enabled button or item may be displayed, and wherein within a group not more than one button or item may be enabled. The state of a button can be changed by commands associated with other buttons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Jobst HOERENTRUP, Dirk GANDOLPH, Carsten HERPEL, Ralf OSTERMANN, Hartmut PETERS
  • Publication number: 20150095853
    Abstract: A method for generating an on-screen menu comprising menu buttons and other menu items, e.g. help text, is characterized in that one or more groups of menu buttons or menu items are defined, wherein a group comprises one or more menu buttons or menu items and has associated a defined area on the screen. A state is assigned to a button, the state being “enabled” or “disabled”, wherein only an enabled button or item may be displayed, and wherein within a group not more than one button or item may be enabled. The state of a button can be changed by commands associated with other buttons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Jobst HOERENTRUP, Dirk GANDOLPH, Carsten HERPEL, Ralf OSTERMANN, Hartmut PETERS
  • Patent number: 8943436
    Abstract: A method for generating an on-screen menu comprising menu buttons and other menu items, e.g. help text, is characterized in that one or more groups of menu buttons or menu items are defined, wherein a group comprises one or more menu buttons or menu items and has associated a defined area on the screen. A state is assigned to a button, the state being “enabled” or “disabled”, wherein only an enabled button or item may be displayed, and wherein within a group not more than one button or item may be enabled. The state of a button can be changed by commands associated with other buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Jobst Hoerentrup, Dirk Gandolph, Carsten Herpel, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters
  • Patent number: 8930850
    Abstract: A method for generating an on-screen menu comprising menu buttons and other menu items, e.g. help text, is characterized in that one or more groups of menu buttons or menu items are defined, wherein a group comprises one or more menu buttons or menu items and has associated a defined area on the screen. A state is assigned to a button, the state being “enabled” or “disabled”, wherein only an enabled button or item may be displayed, and wherein within a group not more than one button or item may be enabled. The state of a button can be changed by commands associated with other buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Jobst Hoerentrup, Dirk Gandolph, Carsten Herpel, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters
  • Publication number: 20140380166
    Abstract: Multimedia content of exchangeable storage media, such as optical discs, may be extended by bonus content that is downloaded via Internet connection and stored on a local storage device. An improved method for integration of different menu items relating to on-disc content and downloaded content provides flexibility and a simple, low cost solution. The method for integration of downloaded bonus content into a menu comprises defining one or more placeholders within a menu, determining a storage location or naming convention for bonus content, declaring for each placeholder an attribute providing a unique association to a specific type of bonus content, providing a button image, detecting presence of bonus content data, replacing the associated placeholder by the associated button image and enabling an associated action to be taken when said button is selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Carsten HERPEL, Jobst HOERENTRUP, Ralf OSTERMANN, Hartmut PETERS, Dirk GANDOLPH
  • Publication number: 20140380165
    Abstract: Multimedia content of exchangeable storage media, such as optical discs, may be extended by bonus content that is downloaded via Internet connection and stored on a local storage device. An improved method for integration of different menu items relating to on-disc content and downloaded content provides flexibility and a simple, low cost solution. The method for integration of downloaded bonus content into a menu comprises defining one or more placeholders within a menu, determining a storage location or naming convention for bonus content, declaring for each placeholder an attribute providing a unique association to a specific type of bonus content, providing a button image, detecting presence of bonus content data, replacing the associated placeholder by the associated button image and enabling an associated action to be taken when said button is selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Carsten HERPEL, Jobst HOERENTRUP, Ralf OSTERMANN, Hartmut PETERS, Dirk GANDOLPH
  • Publication number: 20140351764
    Abstract: A method for generating an on-screen menu comprising menu buttons and other menu items, e.g. help text, is characterized in that one or more groups of menu buttons or menu items are defined, wherein a group comprises one or more menu buttons or menu items and has associated a defined area on the screen. A state is assigned to a button, the state being “enabled” or “disabled”, wherein only an enabled button or item may be displayed, and wherein within a group not more than one button or item may be enabled. The state of a button can be changed by commands associated with other buttons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Jobst HOERENTRUP, Dirk GANDOLPH, Carsten HERPEL, Ralf OSTERMANN, Hartmut PETERS
  • Publication number: 20140351855
    Abstract: A method for generating an on-screen menu comprising menu buttons and other menu items, e.g. help text, is characterized in that one or more groups of menu buttons or menu items are defined, wherein a group comprises one or more menu buttons or menu items and has associated a defined area on the screen. A state is assigned to a button, the state being “enabled” or “disabled”, wherein only an enabled button or item may be displayed, and wherein within a group not more than one button or item may be enabled. The state of a button can be changed by commands associated with other buttons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Jobst HOERENTRUP, Dirk Gandolph, Carsten Herpel, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters
  • Publication number: 20140344759
    Abstract: A method for generating an on-screen menu comprising menu buttons and other menu items, e.g. help text, is characterized in that one or more groups of menu buttons or menu items are defined, wherein a group comprises one or more menu buttons or menu items and has associated a defined area on the screen. A state is assigned to a button, the state being “enabled” or “disabled”, wherein only an enabled button or item may be displayed, and wherein within a group not more than one button or item may be enabled. The state of a button can be changed by commands associated with other buttons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Jobst HOERENTROP, Dirk GANDOLPH, Carsten HERPEL, Ralf OSTERMANN, Hartmut PETERS
  • Publication number: 20140344760
    Abstract: A method for generating an on-screen menu comprising menu buttons and other menu items, e.g. help text, is characterized in that one or more groups of menu buttons or menu items are defined, wherein a group comprises one or more menu buttons or menu items and has associated a defined area on the screen. A state is assigned to a button, the state being “enabled” or “disabled”, wherein only an enabled button or item may be displayed, and wherein within a group not more than one button or item may be enabled. The state of a button can be changed by commands associated with other buttons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Jobst HOERENTRUP, Dirk GANDOLPH, Carsten HERPEL, Ralf OSTERMANN, Hartmut PETERS