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).

  • Patent number: 8732122
    Abstract: Local storage on player instruments provides the ability for adding further amendments and most recent supplements to the optical disc content. A problem arising with this technically applicable possibility is the protection of copyrights bound to disc and supplement data. The present invention describes a technique to ensure a security framework that is able to handle this, by creating a virtual file system (VFS) by merging optical disc data and local storage data based upon a common identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Dirk Gandolph, Jobst Hoerentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Carsten Herpel, Uwe Janssen, Hartmut Peters, Andrej Schewzow, Marco Winter
  • Patent number: 8701004
    Abstract: A method for generating multi-language menus comprises grouping language-dependent menu resource files on a storage medium, and selecting only those menu resource files from a group that are labeled with an indication that matches the preferred menu language of the respective player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Jobst Hoerentrup, Dirk Gandolph, Ralf Ostermann, Carsten Herpel, Uwe Janssen, Hartmut Peters, Andrej Schewzow, Marco Winter
  • Patent number: 8667036
    Abstract: Local storage on player instruments provides the ability for adding further amendments and most recent supplements to the optical disc content. A problem arising with this technically applicable possibility is the protection of copyrights bound to disc and supplement data. The present invention describes a technique to ensure a security framework that is able to handle this, by creating a virtual file system (VFS) by merging optical disc data and local storage data based upon a common identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Dirk Gandolph, Jobst Hoerentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Carsten Herpel, Uwe Janssen, Hartmut Peters, Andrej Schewzow, Marco Winter
  • Publication number: 20140053104
    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; e.g., “unselected”, “selected” or “activated”. According to the invention, the menu may contain buttons that can be selected through the keys on the remote control, but that don't have any images or text associated. This allows creating “invisible buttons” that automatically execute commands upon selection. 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. Such menu data may be stored; e.g., on a Blu-ray disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Jobst Hoerentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Harald Schiller, Dirk Gandolph
  • Publication number: 20130346861
    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: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Carsten Herpel, Jobst Horentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters, Dirk Gandolph
  • Publication number: 20130339854
    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: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Carsten Herpel, Jobst Horentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters, Dirk Gandolph
  • Patent number: 8607160
    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; e.g., “unselected”, “selected” or “activated”. According to the invention, the menu may contain buttons that can be selected through the keys on the remote control, but that don't have any images or text associated. This allows creating “invisible buttons” that automatically execute commands upon selection. 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. Such menu data may be stored; e.g., on a Blu-ray disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Jobst Hoerentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Harald Schiller, Dirk Gandolph
  • Patent number: 8607194
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Dirk Gandolph, Carsten Herpel, Jobst Hoerentrup, Uwe Janssen, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters, Andrej Schewzow, Marco Winter
  • Patent number: 8607195
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Dirk Gandolph, Carsten Herpel, Jobst Hoerentrup, Uwe Janssen, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters, Andrej Schewzow, Marco Winter
  • Patent number: 8588585
    Abstract: Several data streams contain video, audio and/or other data. Some of the data streams are pre-recorded in a multiplex on a storage medium while other data streams are located out of the data stream multiplex on the storage medium. The data streams are synchronized using a navigation file (List_of_PlayItems), which comprises descriptors (PlayItems, SubPlayItems) pointing to parts of said data streams, wherein said descriptors define the arrangement in time for said data streams by means of data sub stream paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Dirk Gandolph, Harald Schiller, Jobst Hoerentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters
  • Patent number: 8561039
    Abstract: The invention addresses the objective of optimizing performance of a media data carrier interpreting device. This is achieved by a media data carrier interpreting device which comprises means for transforming a machine- interpretable instruction comprised in a media data carrier into a machine-executable code during media content presentation. Said media data carrier comprises a set of machine-interpretable instructions generated according to a method which comprises the steps of generating a first auxiliary set of instructions corresponding to a set of elements wherein the elements are conform with a template and compiling said first auxiliary instruction set. Then, said compiled first auxiliary instruction set is linked with a compiled second auxiliary instruction set corresponding to said template. This method removes the need for runtime parsing and therefore frees processing capacity for runtime transformation of the machine-interpretable instructions into machine-executable code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Marco Winter, Dirk Gandolph, Jobst Hoerentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Andrej Schewzow
  • Publication number: 20130268896
    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; e.g., “unselected”, “selected” or “activated”. According to the invention, the menu may contain buttons that can be selected through the keys on the remote control, but that don't have any images or text associated. This allows creating “invisible buttons” that automatically execute commands upon selection. 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. Such menu data may be stored; e.g., on a Blu-ray disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Jobst HOERENTRUP, Ralf OSTERMANN, Harald SCHILLER, Dirk GANDOLPH
  • Patent number: 8555168
    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: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Carsten Herpel, Jobst Hörentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters, Dirk Gandolph
  • Publication number: 20130263058
    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: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Jobst HOERENTRUP, Dirk Gandolph, Carsten Herpel, Ralf Ostermann, Harlmut Peters
  • Patent number: 8543920
    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: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Carsten Herpel, Dirk Gandolph, Jobst Hörentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters
  • Patent number: 8537282
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a subtitling format encompassing elements of enhanced syntax and semantic to provide improved animation capabilities. The disclosed elements improve subtitle performance without stressing the available subtitle bitrate. This will become essential for authoring content of high-end HDTV subtitles in pre-recorded format, which can be broadcast or stored on high capacity optical media, e.g. the Blue-ray Disc. Embodiments of the invention include abilities for improved authoring possibilities for the content production to animate subtitles. For subtitles that are separate from AV material, a method includes using one or more superimposed subtitle layers, and displaying only a selected part of the transferred subtitles at a time. Further, colors of a selected part of the displayed subtitles may be modified, e.g. highlighted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Dirk Gandolph, Jobst Hörentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters, Harald Schiller
  • Publication number: 20130236159
    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: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Dirk GANDOLPH, Carsten HERPEL, Jobst HOERENTRUP, Uwe JANNSEN, Ralf OSTERMANN, Hartmut PETERS, Andrej SCHEWZOW, Marco WINTER
  • Patent number: 8531609
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a subtitling format encompassing elements of enhanced syntax and semantic to provide improved animation capabilities. The disclosed elements improve subtitle performance without stressing the available subtitle bitrate. This will become essential for authoring content of high-end HDTV subtitles in pre-recorded format, which can be broadcast or stored on high capacity optical media, e.g. the Blue-ray Disc. Embodiments of the invention include abilities for improved authoring possibilities for the content production to animate subtitles. For subtitles that are separate from AV material, a method includes using one or more superimposed subtitle layers, and displaying only a selected part of the transferred subtitles at a time. Further, colors of a selected part of the displayed subtitles may be modified, e.g. highlighted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Dirk Gandolph, Jobst Hörentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters, Harald Schiller
  • Patent number: 8528027
    Abstract: Several data streams contain video, audio and/or other data. Some of the data streams are pre-recorded in a multiplex on a storage medium while other data streams are located out of the data stream multiplex on the storage medium. The data streams are synchronized using a navigation file (List_of_PlayItems), which comprises descriptors (Play-Items, SubPlayItems) pointing to parts of said data streams, wherein said descriptors define the arrangement in time for said data streams by means of data sub stream paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Dirk Gandolph, Harald Schiller, Jobst Hoerentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters
  • Patent number: 8479119
    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 e.g. “unselected”, “selected” or “activated”. According to the invention, the menu may contain buttons that can be selected through the keys on the remote control, but that don't have any images or text associated. This allows creating “invisible buttons” that automatically execute commands upon selection. 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. Such menu data may be stored e.g. on a Blu-ray disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Jobst Hörentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Harald Schiller, Dirk Gandolph