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).
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Patent number: 8732122Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 16, 2012Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Dirk Gandolph, Jobst Hoerentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Carsten Herpel, Uwe Janssen, Hartmut Peters, Andrej Schewzow, Marco Winter
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Patent number: 8701004Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 14, 2005Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Jobst Hoerentrup, Dirk Gandolph, Ralf Ostermann, Carsten Herpel, Uwe Janssen, Hartmut Peters, Andrej Schewzow, Marco Winter
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Patent number: 8667036Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 16, 2012Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Dirk Gandolph, Jobst Hoerentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Carsten Herpel, Uwe Janssen, Hartmut Peters, Andrej Schewzow, Marco Winter
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Publication number: 20140053104Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: Thomson LicensingInventors: Jobst Hoerentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Harald Schiller, Dirk Gandolph
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Publication number: 20130346861Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: THOMSON LICENSINGInventors: Carsten Herpel, Jobst Horentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters, Dirk Gandolph
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Publication number: 20130339854Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicant: THOMSON LICENSINGInventors: Carsten Herpel, Jobst Horentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters, Dirk Gandolph
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Patent number: 8607160Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 17, 2013Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Jobst Hoerentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Harald Schiller, Dirk Gandolph
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Patent number: 8607194Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 16, 2012Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Dirk Gandolph, Carsten Herpel, Jobst Hoerentrup, Uwe Janssen, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters, Andrej Schewzow, Marco Winter
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Patent number: 8607195Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 16, 2012Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Dirk Gandolph, Carsten Herpel, Jobst Hoerentrup, Uwe Janssen, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters, Andrej Schewzow, Marco Winter
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Patent number: 8588585Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 16, 2013Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Dirk Gandolph, Harald Schiller, Jobst Hoerentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters
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Patent number: 8561039Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Marco Winter, Dirk Gandolph, Jobst Hoerentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Andrej Schewzow
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Publication number: 20130268896Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2013Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: THOMSON LICENSINGInventors: Jobst HOERENTRUP, Ralf OSTERMANN, Harald SCHILLER, Dirk GANDOLPH
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Patent number: 8555168Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 4, 2012Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Carsten Herpel, Jobst Hörentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters, Dirk Gandolph
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Publication number: 20130263058Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Inventors: Jobst HOERENTRUP, Dirk Gandolph, Carsten Herpel, Ralf Ostermann, Harlmut Peters
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Patent number: 8543920Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 4, 2012Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Carsten Herpel, Dirk Gandolph, Jobst Hörentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters
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Patent number: 8537282Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 2, 2012Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Dirk Gandolph, Jobst Hörentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters, Harald Schiller
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Publication number: 20130236159Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2013Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: THOMSON LICENSINGInventors: Dirk GANDOLPH, Carsten HERPEL, Jobst HOERENTRUP, Uwe JANNSEN, Ralf OSTERMANN, Hartmut PETERS, Andrej SCHEWZOW, Marco WINTER
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Patent number: 8531609Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 2, 2012Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Dirk Gandolph, Jobst Hörentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters, Harald Schiller
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Patent number: 8528027Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 16, 2013Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Dirk Gandolph, Harald Schiller, Jobst Hoerentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Hartmut Peters
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Patent number: 8479119Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 22, 2004Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Jobst Hörentrup, Ralf Ostermann, Harald Schiller, Dirk Gandolph