Patents by Inventor Donald S. Stern

Donald S. Stern 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: 20080270890
    Abstract: Embodiments a method and system for reducing the quantity of data used to reproduce rich content formatted for display, such as a web page, on a target device, by translating text based formatting instructions into a numerical based formatting instruction format, resizing any visual content data appropriately for display on the target device screen, and compressing the translated and resized content data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Donald S. Stern
  • Publication number: 20080267117
    Abstract: Embodiments for a system and method for providing a user with access via a mobile terminal to content and services, provided by content and service providers, using a communication network are described. The mobile terminal can be a mobile phone terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet or portable computer having a screen, a processor adapted to run one or more software applications, an input interface, and wireless communication functions adapted to connect the mobile terminal to the communication network. A user selects a selectable item displayed on the screen using the user interface. The selection of the selectable item activates a software application which composes a data packet having a format for sending to the associated content or service provider where the packet is processed and the action taken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Donald S. Stern
  • Publication number: 20070282959
    Abstract: An alert system and method are provided in which a message is used to send an alert to the communications computing device and an application on the communications computing device can retrieve information/data based on the message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventor: Donald S. Stern
  • Patent number: 6968151
    Abstract: A remote control includes a base and an insert that is attached in a detachable manner to the base. The base includes a remote control circuit, a button coupled to operate the remote control circuit and a fastener capable of holding the insert. The insert includes a printed publication (such as a card, a sheet of paper or a booklet) containing at least one leaf having human-understandable content (such as text and/or graphics). To assemble the remote control, a user attaches the insert to the fastener, so that the human-understandable content is laid over the button. Thereafter, when the user operates the button (e.g. by touching the leaf), the base transmits a remote control signal that causes a host device to visually display information related to the human-understandable content at the touched location. A base in the form of a three ring binder gives the user an intuitive feel of simply touching human-understandable content on a leaf in the binder to view a display of information related to the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Smartpaper Networks Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Redford, Donald S. Stern
  • Publication number: 20040084751
    Abstract: A device includes an element (e.g. in the shape of a sleeve) and a core located in an interior volume defined by the element and at least partially surrounded by the element. The element has two portions: one portion overlaps at least a region of the core thereby to form a capacitor, while another portion surrounds the core thereby to form an inductor. The device may further include an additional capacitor formed by another element that is separated from the core but overlaps at least a region of the core when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the core. The two elements substantially surround the core. The core may be used to hold charge in a non-volatile manner, even when no power is supplied to the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Grail Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald S. Stern
  • Publication number: 20040086840
    Abstract: A remote control includes a base and an insert that is attached in a detachable manner to the base. The base includes a remote control circuit, a button coupled to operate the remote control circuit and a fastener capable of holding the insert. The insert includes a printed publication (such as a card, a sheet of paper or a booklet) containing at least one leaf having human-understandable content (such as text and/or graphics). To assemble the remote control, a user attaches the insert to the fastener, so that the human-understandable content is laid over the button. Thereafter, when the user operates the button (e.g. by touching the leaf), the base transmits a remote control signal that causes a host device to visually display information related to the human-understandable content at the touched location. A base in the form of a three ring binder gives the user an intuitive feel of simply touching human-understandable content on a leaf in the binder to view a display of information related to the content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Peter M. Redford, Donald S. Stern
  • Patent number: 6650867
    Abstract: A remote control includes a base and an insert that is attached in a detachable manner to the base. The base includes a remote control circuit, a button coupled to operate the remote control circuit and a fastener capable of holding the insert. The insert includes a printed publication (such as a card, a sheet of paper or a booklet) containing at least one leaf having human-understandable content (such as text and/or graphics). To assemble the remote control, a user attaches the insert to the fastener, so that the human-understandable content is laid over the button. Thereafter, when the user operates the button (e.g. by touching the leaf), the base transmits a remote control signal that causes a host device to visually display information related to the human-understandable content at the touched location. A base in the form of a three ring binder gives the user an intuitive feel of simply touching human-understandable content on a leaf in the binder to view a display of information related to the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Smartpaper Networks Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Redford, Donald S. Stern
  • Patent number: 6642552
    Abstract: A device includes an element (e.g. in the shape of a sleeve) and a core located in an interior volume defined by the element and at least partially surrounded by the element. The element has two portions: one portion overlaps at least a region of the core thereby to form a capacitor, while another portion surrounds the core thereby to form an inductor. The device may further include an additional capacitor formed by another element that is separated from the core but overlaps at least a region of the core when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the core. The two elements substantially surround the core. The core may be used to hold charge in a non-volatile manner, even when no power is supplied to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Grail Semiconductor
    Inventor: Donald S. Stern
  • Publication number: 20030178639
    Abstract: A device includes an element (e.g. in the shape of a sleeve) and a core located in an interior volume defined by the element and at least partially surrounded by the element. The element has two portions: one portion overlaps at least a region of the core thereby to form a capacitor, while another portion surrounds the core thereby to form an inductor. The device may further include an additional capacitor formed by another element that is separated from the core but overlaps at least a region of the core when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the core. The two elements substantially surround the core. The core may be used to hold charge in a non-volatile manner, even when no power is supplied to the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventor: Donald S. Stern
  • Publication number: 20020145904
    Abstract: A device includes an element (e.g. in the shape of a sleeve) and a core located in an interior volume defined by the element and at least partially surrounded by the element. The element has two portions: one portion overlaps at least a region of the core thereby to form a capacitor, while another portion surrounds the core thereby to form an inductor. The device may further include an additional capacitor formed by another element that is separated from the core but overlaps at least a region of the core when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the core. The two elements substantially surround the core. The core may be used to hold charge in a non-volatile manner, even when no power is supplied to the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventor: Donald S. Stern
  • Patent number: 6418532
    Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a remote control for an interactive media can include a printed publication and/or a storage media and/or a data button. One embodiment of a remote control includes a printed publication (such as a book, magazine or a catalog) and one or more buttons physically attached to the printed publication to allow users to remotely control use of associated electronic content by a host device. Another embodiment of a remote control has a housing capable of removably holding a storage media encoded with electronic content associated with a button of the remote control. Yet another embodiment of a remote control has at least one data button which permits the user to select the data to be displayed by the host device. An autostart driver in the host device detects insertion of a storage media into a peripheral and automatically starts an application. The application interprets button codes transmitted by the remote control and displays the results or initiates other events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: TV Interactive Data Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Redford, Donald S. Stern
  • Publication number: 20020058240
    Abstract: A remote control includes a base and an insert that is attached in a detachable manner to the base. The base includes a remote control circuit, a button coupled to operate the remote control circuit and a fastener capable of holding the insert. The insert includes a printed publication (such as a card, a sheet of paper or a booklet) containing at least one leaf having human-understandable content (such as text and/or graphics). To assemble the remote control, a user attaches the insert to the fastener, so that the human-understandable content is laid over the button. Thereafter, when the user operates the button (e.g. by touching the leaf), the base transmits a remote control signal that causes a host device to visually display information related to the human-understandable content at the touched location. A base in the form of a three ring binder gives the user an intuitive feel of simply touching human-understandable content on a leaf in the binder to view a display of information related to the content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Peter M. Redford, Donald S. Stern
  • Patent number: 6327459
    Abstract: A remote control includes a base and an insert that is attached in a detachable manner to the base. The base includes a remote control circuit, a button coupled to operate the remote control circuit and a fastener capable of holding the insert. The insert includes a printed publication (such as a card, a sheet of paper or a booklet) containing at least one leaf having human-understandable content (such as text and/or graphics). To assemble the remote control, a user attaches the insert to the fastener, so that the human-understandable content is laid over the button. Thereafter, when the user operates the button (e.g. by touching the leaf), the base transmits a remote control signal that causes a host device to visually display information related to the human-understandable content at the touched location. A base in the form of a three ring binder gives the user an intuitive feel of simply touching human-understandable content on a leaf in the binder to view a display of information related to the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: TV Interactive Data Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Redford, Donald S. Stern
  • Publication number: 20010018737
    Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a remote control for an interactive media can include a printed publication and/or a storage media and/or a data button. One embodiment of a remote control includes a printed publication (such as a book, magazine or a catalog) and one or more buttons physically attached to the printed publication to allow users to remotely control use of associated electronic content by a host device. Another embodiment of a remote control has a housing capable of removably holding a storage media encoded with electronic content associated with a button of the remote control. Yet another embodiment of a remote control has at least one data button which permits the user to select the data to be displayed by the host device. An autostart driver in the host device detects insertion of a storage media into a peripheral and automatically starts an application. The application interprets button codes transmitted by the remote control and displays the results or initiates other events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventors: Peter M. Redford, Donald S. Stern
  • Patent number: 6249863
    Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a remote control for an interactive media can include a printed publication and/or a storage media and/or a data button. One embodiment of a remote control includes a printed publication (such as a book, magazine or a catalog) and one or more buttons physically attached to the printed publication to allow users to remotely control use of associated electronic content by a host device. Another embodiment of a remote control has a housing capable of removably holding a storage media encoded with electronic content associated with a button of the remote control. Yet another embodiment of a remote control has at least one data button which permits the user to select the data to be displayed by the host device. An autostart driver in the host device detects insertion of a storage media into a peripheral and automatically starts an application. The application interprets button codes transmitted by the remote control and displays the results or initiates other events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: TV Interactive Data Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Redford, Donald S. Stern
  • Publication number: 20010003041
    Abstract: A remote control includes a base and an insert that is attached in a detachable manner to the base. The base includes a remote control circuit, a button coupled to operate the remote control circuit and a fastener capable of holding the insert. The insert includes a printed publication (such as a card, a sheet of paper or a booklet) containing at least one leaf having human-understandable content (such as text and/or graphics). To assemble the remote control, a user attaches the insert to the fastener, so that the human-understandable content is laid over the button. Thereafter, when the user operates the button (e.g. by touching the leaf), the base transmits a remote control signal that causes a host device to visually display information related to the human-understandable content at the touched location. A base in the form of a three ring binder gives the user an intuitive feel of simply touching human-understandable content on a leaf in the binder to view a display of information related to the content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Publication date: June 7, 2001
    Inventors: PETER M. REDFORD, DONALD S. STERN
  • Patent number: 5973313
    Abstract: A ratiometric sensor is formed of a first photodiode connected in series with an electronic component, such as a second photodiode or a resistor, between a source of first voltage and a source of second voltage. The ratiometric sensor supplies a "ratiometric voltage" on a ratiometric sensor output line that is connected to a junction between the first photodiode and the electronic component. The ratiometric voltage is proportional to the ratio of the equivalent resistance of the first photodiode to the sum of the equivalent resistances of the first photodiode and the electronic component. A ratiometric sensor that uses a photodiode and a resistance has a large dynamic range because the ratiometric voltage can vary between the first voltage and the second voltage. A ratiometric sensor that uses two photodiodes is less sensitive to noise than a conventional circuit that uses a single photodiode, because noise can get canceled from the numerator and denominator of the ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: TV Interactive Data Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Redford, Donald S. Stern
  • Patent number: 5957695
    Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a remote control for an interactive media can include a printed publication and/or a storage media and/or a data button. One embodiment of a remote control includes a printed publication (such as a book, magazine or a catalog) and one or more buttons physically attached to the printed publication to allow users to remotely control use of associated electronic content by a host device. Another embodiment of a remote control has a housing capable of removably holding a storage media encoded with electronic content associated with a button of the remote control. Yet another embodiment of a remote control has at least one data button which permits the user to select the data to be displayed by the host device. An autostart driver in the host device detects insertion of a storage media into a peripheral and automatically starts an application. The application interprets button codes transmitted by the remote control and displays the results or initiates other events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: TV Interactive Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Redford, Donald S. Stern
  • Patent number: 5911582
    Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a remote control for an interactive media can include a printed publication and/or a storage media and/or a data button. One embodiment of a remote control includes a printed publication (such as a book, magazine or a catalog) and one or more buttons physically attached to the printed publication to allow users to remotely control use of associated electronic content by a host device. Another embodiment of a remote control has a housing capable of removably holding a storage media encoded with electronic content associated with a button of the remote control. Yet another embodiment of a remote control has at least one data button which permits the user to select the data to be displayed by the host device. An autostart driver in the host device detects insertion of a storage media into a peripheral and automatically starts an application. The application interprets button codes transmitted by the remote control and displays the results or initiates other events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: TV Interactive Data Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Redford, Donald S. Stern
  • Patent number: 5847694
    Abstract: A position sensing controller, sometimes referred to as "controller" includes a novel optical gate that is located adjacent to a light source and to a light sensor. The optical gate changes the amount of light incident on the light sensor in response to a change in position of a movable element in the controller. In response to the incident light, the light sensor drives a position signal on an output terminal, which position signal approximately indicates the position of the movable element. The position signal can drive any electrically controllable device, such as a game machine, a personal computer and an interactive television set top. The use of optical principles in a position sensing controller allows various optical position sensing parts of the controller, such as the light source, the light sensor, and the optical gate to be physically separated from each other and so avoid the mechanical wear and tear caused by friction in conventional controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: TV Interactive Data Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Redford, Donald S. Stern