Patents by Inventor Eric Shank

Eric Shank 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: 8566881
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a mosaic video channel and a system for generating the mosaic video channel. A system in accordance with the present invention indicates an audio input for a mosaic video channel displayed on a monitor, with a plurality of individual video feeds being presented at a given time, and comprises a plurality of video cells presenting at least video information, each video cell having a respective audio portion associated with the video cell, an announcer audio portion, and an indicator, coupled to the respective audio portions, for indicating to an announcer that at least one of the respective audio portions is active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: David Eric Shanks, Paul N. Niesen
  • Publication number: 20130033605
    Abstract: A system and method for selective capture of and presentation of native image portions are provided. In a first embodiment a first image or video is captured at a first resolution, which resolution is greater than high definition and higher than a predetermined broadcast display resolution. A desired portion of the native, first image or video is then displayed at a second, lower resolution, which resolution is less than and closer to the predetermined broadcast display resolution. Accordingly, a selected portion of the captured image may be displayed at or near the predetermined broadcast display resolution. In other exemplary embodiments, video is captured at a first frame rate that is higher than a predetermined broadcast frame rate, and an extraction window extracts frames from a portion of the native, first video to provide improved broadcast quality of the portion(s) selected by the extraction window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: FOX SPORTS PRODUCTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Davies, David Eric Shanks, Gerald Steinberg
  • Publication number: 20110289522
    Abstract: A system and method for communicating content to a user device includes a head end that communicates metadata for a plurality of content including the content titles. The system also includes the user device that generates a screen display comprising the plurality of content titles from the metadata and generates a selection corresponding to a first content title from a user interface, the user device adds metadata for the first content title to a queue and displays the queue in a priority order on the screen display. The user device is tuned to receive content corresponding to the first content title and stores the content in a storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Romulo Pontual, John L. Norin, Robert G. Arsenault, Raynold M. Kahn, Sui-Ky Ringo Ling, Luke J. Crook, John D. Choi, Michelle L. Vagnati, David Eric Shanks, Steven Kasakitis, Eric J. Bennett, Kenny C. Chen, Stephen P. Dulac
  • Publication number: 20110004904
    Abstract: Broadband system interfaces and features are described. An example includes a user interface for use with a content delivery system including an on-demand service comprising at least one channel dedicated to an on-demand content provider, wherein the channel is accessible in a same manner as a broadcast channel of the content delivery system; and at least one homepage to be presented when a user navigates to the at least one channel, wherein the homepage includes a template of sections to provide a single-level user interface by altering the contents of at least one section in response to an input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Goup, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Green, Chris Roy, Robert A. Bergman, Scott M. Benoit, Joy A. Arai, Eric J. Bennett, Tyson L. Wintibaugh, David Eric Shanks, Tommi Iten
  • Publication number: 20090235315
    Abstract: A receiving device and method for operating the same includes a tuner tuned to a first channel having a first program, a memory storing program guide data therein and a controller in communication with the tuner and the memory. The controller determines the first channel is a blacked out channel, searches the program data in the memory for a second program equivalent to the first program, determines a second channel associated with the second program and tunes the tuner device to the second channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Sharkey, Tam T. Leminh, Alistair E. Jeffs, Robert G. Arsenault, Huy Q. Tran, Tommi J. Iten, David Eric Shanks, Eric J. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20090073318
    Abstract: An interactive mosaic channel video stream with indicators as to the action on a given video stream. The interactive mosaic channel is displayed on a video monitor, with a plurality of individual video feeds being presented at a given time, comprising a plurality of video cells presenting at least video information, each video cell associated with one of the plurality of individual video feeds, each video cell further comprising an area within the video cell reporting data related to the video feed, and a cursor, which can be moved between the plurality of video cells, for selecting at least one characteristic associated with a selected video cell, such that the user can then directly select a video program associated with the selected video cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: THE DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: David Eric Shanks, Matthew J. Thompson, Mark A. Shurgot, David E. Feldstein, Edgar C. Camacho, Craig Le, Ilan Tirer
  • Publication number: 20090037961
    Abstract: Broadband system interfaces and features are described. An example includes a user interface for use with a content delivery system including an on-demand service comprising at least one channel dedicated to an on-demand content provider, wherein the channel is accessible in a same manner as a broadcast channel of the content delivery system; and at least one homepage to be presented when a user navigates to the at least one channel, wherein the homepage includes a template of sections to provide a single-level user interface by altering the contents of at least one section in response to an input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: DAVID P. GREEN, CHRIS ROY, ROBERT A. BERGMAN, SCOTT M. BENOIT, JOY A. ARAI, ERIC J. BENNETT, TYSON L. WINTIBAUGH, DAVID ERIC SHANKS, TOMMI ITEN
  • Publication number: 20080216141
    Abstract: The present invention discloses systems for selectively viewing video information. A system in accordance with the present invention comprises a portable monitor, a video router, and a controller, coupled to the video router, wherein the video router selectively sends requested video information to the portable monitor based on commands from the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Long, David Eric Shanks
  • Publication number: 20080216127
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a mosaic video channel and a system for generating the mosaic video channel. A mosaic video channel in accordance with the present invention is displayed on a monitor with a plurality of individual video feeds being presented at a given time, and comprises a plurality of video cells presenting at least video information, each video cell associated with one of the plurality of individual video feeds, a cursor, which can be moved between the plurality of video cells, for selecting at least one characteristic associated with a selected video cell, and a receiver, coupled to the monitor and receiving the mosaic video channel, wherein the mosaic channel is changed via a controller which initiates a logo wipe across the mosaic video channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: David Eric Shanks
  • Publication number: 20080209472
    Abstract: An interactive mosaic channel video stream is disclosed. Such a channel is displayed on a video monitor, with a plurality of individual video feeds being presented at a given time, comprising a plurality of video cells presenting at least video information, each video cell associated with one of the plurality of individual video feeds, each video cell further comprising a mosaic of related video information, and a cursor, which can be moved between the plurality of video cells, for selecting at least one characteristic associated with a selected video cell, such that the user can then directly select a video program associated with the selected video cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: David Eric Shanks, David B. Hill
  • Publication number: 20080209476
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a mosaic video channel and a system for generating the mosaic video channel. A system in accordance with the present invention indicates an audio input for a mosaic video channel displayed on a monitor, with a plurality of individual video feeds being presented at a given time, and comprises a plurality of video cells presenting at least video information, each video cell having a respective audio portion associated with the video cell, an announcer audio portion, and an indicator, coupled to the respective audio portions, for indicating to an announcer that at least one of the respective audio portions is active.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: David Eric Shanks, Paul N. Niesen
  • Publication number: 20080192117
    Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for displaying a participant perspective on a monitor are disclosed. A mosaic video channel in accordance with the present invention has a plurality of individual video feeds, and comprises a plurality of video cells presenting at least video information, each video cell associated with one of the plurality of individual video feeds, a cursor, which can be moved between the plurality of video cells, for selecting at least one characteristic associated with a selected video cell, and a receiver, coupled to the monitor and receiving the mosaic video channel, wherein at least one of the individual video feeds being a video feed that is taken from a perspective of a participant in an event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: David Eric Shanks, Christopher J. Long
  • Publication number: 20080187176
    Abstract: The present invention discloses systems for tracking objects. A system in accordance with the present invention comprises a positioning mechanism, a camera, coupled to the positioning mechanism, a controller, coupled to the positioning mechanism, and a position sensor, coupled to the controller, wherein the position sensor sends data related to a geolocation of the position sensor to the controller, and the controller moves the positioning mechanism based on the data related to the geolocation of the position sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: David Eric Shanks
  • Publication number: 20080133847
    Abstract: A method and system of reading data from a storage device. The storage device includes a plurality of physical storage extents. One or more of the storage extents is/are associated with a “void extent” indicator, a void extent being an extent that was the target of an unsuccessful write completion. In one technique a request is received to read the data from the storage device. The physical storage extent(s) on which the requested data is stored is located. If one of the located storage extents has an associated void extent indicator then a read error is returned. In a further technique, a request is received to read the data from the storage device. The physical storage extent(s) on which the requested data is stored is located. The data from the located storage extent(s) is retrieved if the read request is a diagnostic read and if the or one of the located storage extents has an associated void extent indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: John Mark Morris, Eric Shank
  • Patent number: 7149935
    Abstract: A method, computer program, and computer system are disclosed for managing data corruption identified by an application in a storage subsystem. Data requested of the application by a process is copied from a primary storage device in the storage subsystem to a memory. A data integrity check is performed on the data stored in the memory. If the data integrity check succeeds, the data is provided from the application to the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: NCR Corp.
    Inventors: J. Mark Morris, Eric Shank
  • Patent number: 7061222
    Abstract: A frequency converter is tested. Labels for a plurality of mixing products are displayed. In response to a user selecting a first mixing product from the plurality of mixing products, appropriate frequencies for the first mixing product are calculated. Also, a measurement configuration for the first mixing product is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Shank, Dara Sariaslani, Gratz L. Armstrong, Dexter M. Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20050098022
    Abstract: A hand-held music-creation device has a plurality of stored samples of sound. The device has an interface comprising a grid, where the rows represent channels in which samples may be selected and the columns represent loop measures. The device allows the user to select which samples are to be played in a given loop measure. A loop is created by assigning samples to available loop measures. The user may hear the resulting composition, comprising a loop repeating indefinitely. Each device may be connected to at least one other device to form a system. The system allows the creation of a longer loop and/or allows an increase in sample selection for each loop measure in the loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Eric Shank, Catherine Sun, Joseph Forest
  • Publication number: 20050088166
    Abstract: A frequency converter is tested. Labels for a plurality of mixing products are displayed. In response to a user selecting a first mixing product from the plurality of mixing products, appropriate frequencies for the first mixing product are calculated. Also, a measurement configuration for the first mixing product is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Inventors: Eric Shank, Dara Sariaslani, Gratz Armstrong, Dexter Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20030067385
    Abstract: A motion sensor system is provided that has several sensor units. Each sensor unit is freely movable, easily hidden and includes a motion sensor and a wireless radio frequency (RF) transmitter. The motion sensor system further includes a receiver unit, which includes a wireless radio frequency receiver and a device for communicating receipt of a signal to the user. When at least one of the motion sensors of at least one of the sensor units detects motion, the wireless radio frequency transmitter transmits a signal to the radio frequency receiver of the receiver unit. The receiver unit then communicates receipt of the signal to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Eric Shank, Terry Cyr, Tricia Lee Wright, Christopher L. Myers
  • Patent number: 6429103
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an Emode HIGFET semiconductor device, and the device, is disclosed including epitaxially growing by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition an epitaxial buffer. The buffer includes a layer of short-lifetime gallium arsenide on a gallium arsenide substrate and a layer of aluminum gallium arsenide on the layer of short-lifetime gallium arsenide. The short-lifetime gallium arsenide is grown at a temperature below approximately 550° C. so as to have a lifetime less than approximately 500 picoseconds. A stack of compound semiconductor layers is then epitaxially grown on the layer of aluminum gallium arsenide of the buffer and an Emode field effect transistor is formed in the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Shanks Johnson, Nyles Wynn Cody