Patents by Inventor Germar Schaefer
Germar Schaefer 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: 10165321Abstract: A method for providing a user of a target device with placeshifted content. The method includes detecting, utilizing the target device, a matrix code associated with an audio/visual program. Data encoded in the matrix code includes program identifying information and elapsed time information with respect to the program. The method further includes generating, utilizing the target device, a request for the program based at least in part on the encoded data. The method also includes transmitting, utilizing the target device, the program request across a network.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2017Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: DISH Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Jason Gaede, Germar Schaefer
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Patent number: 10015483Abstract: Disclosure is directed to determining a condition of the television receiver and communicating information regarding that condition to end-points that are external to the television receiver. The television receiver may create a two-dimensional barcode with information regarding the receiver condition and output the two-dimensional barcode for display on a display device. Once displayed on the display device, the two-dimensional barcode may be scanned into a mobile device where the information regarding the receiver condition may be stored, processed and/or forwarded to another location or device.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: DISH Technologies LLC.Inventors: Germar Schaefer, Danny J. Minnick
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Publication number: 20170366806Abstract: Disclosure is directed to determining a condition of the television receiver and communicating information regarding that condition to end-points that are external to the television receiver. The television receiver may create a two-dimensional barcode with information regarding the receiver condition and output the two-dimensional barcode for display on a display device. Once displayed on the display device, the two-dimensional barcode may be scanned into a mobile device where the information regarding the receiver condition may be stored, processed and/or forwarded to another location or device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2017Publication date: December 21, 2017Inventors: Germar Schaefer, Danny J. Minnick
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Publication number: 20170318324Abstract: A method for providing a user of a target device with placeshifted content. The method includes detecting, utilizing the target device, a matrix code associated with an audio/visual program. Data encoded in the matrix code includes program identifying information and elapsed time information with respect to the program. The method further includes generating, utilizing the target device, a request for the program based at least in part on the encoded data. The method also includes transmitting, utilizing the target device, the program request across a network.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Jason Gaede, Germar Schaefer
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Patent number: 9736469Abstract: Disclosure is directed to determining a condition of the television receiver and communicating information regarding that condition to end-points that are external to the television receiver. The television receiver may create a two-dimensional barcode with information regarding the receiver condition and output the two-dimensional barcode for display on a display device. Once displayed on the display device, the two-dimensional barcode may be scanned into a mobile device where the information regarding the receiver condition may be stored, processed and/or forwarded to another location or device.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: Echostar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Germar Schaefer, Dan J. Minnick
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Patent number: 9686584Abstract: A method for providing a user of a target device with placeshifted content. The method includes detecting, utilizing the target device, a matrix code associated with an audio/visual program. Data encoded in the matrix code includes program identifying information and elapsed time information with respect to the program. The method further includes generating, utilizing the target device, a request for the program based at least in part on the encoded data. The method also includes transmitting, utilizing the target device, the program request across a network.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2013Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Echostar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Jason Gaede, Germar Schaefer
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Patent number: 9521440Abstract: Various arrangements for encrypting multiple television channels are presented. A first television channel of a plurality of television channels to be protected via a first entitlement control message (ECM) using a first encryption scheme may be designated. The plurality of television channels may be transmitted using a single transponder stream. A second television channel of the plurality of television channels to be protected via a second ECM encrypted using a second encryption scheme while the first television channel of the plurality of television channels is protected using the first encryption scheme may be designated. The first and second ECMs may be transmitted to a plurality of television receivers. Data from the first ECM may be used for descrambling of the first television channel by the plurality of television receivers. Data from the second ECM may be used for descrambling of the second television channel by the plurality of television receivers.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2014Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.Inventors: David Kummer, Germar Schaefer
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Patent number: 9489982Abstract: Various arrangements are presented that may involve receiving from a television service provider, timers that are used to record a managed channel array. Each of these timers define a television channel, a time period, and a date. The received timers may be set at a television receiver. User input may be received that specifies an undesired television channel that is not to be recorded according to the received plurality of timers, the undesired television channel being part of the managed channel array. An amount of storage space for the managed channel array excluding the undesired television channel may be calculated. Storage space may be allocated based upon the calculated amount of storage space for the managed channel array excluding the undesired television channel.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2015Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.Inventors: Steven Michael Casagrande, Yunfeng Yang, Mark Templeman, Kranti Kumar Kilaru, Germar Schaefer
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Publication number: 20160134926Abstract: Various arrangements are presented that may involve receiving from a television service provider, timers that are used to record a managed channel array. Each of these timers define a television channel, a time period, and a date. The received timers may be set at a television receiver. User input may be received that specifies an undesired television channel that is not to be recorded according to the received plurality of timers, the undesired television channel being part of the managed channel array. An amount of storage space for the managed channel array excluding the undesired television channel may be calculated. Storage space may be allocated based upon the calculated amount of storage space for the managed channel array excluding the undesired television channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2015Publication date: May 12, 2016Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Steven Michael Casagrande, Yunfeng Yang, Mark Templeman, Kranti Kumar Kilaru, Germar Schaefer
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Patent number: 9280515Abstract: A party that is not the source or originator of a QR code is enabled to provide a consumer a selection of related alternate content rather than content identified in the QR code. A method is implemented on a computer system to receive additional content information represented by a QR code extracted by a consumer's QR reader device from a media presentation containing the QR code. The QR code is generated by a source of the media presentation. A location of alternate content from a captive environment related to the additional content information is identified. The location of the alternate content may be identified based upon the decoded information from the QR code. The location of the alternate content is transmitted to the QR reader device.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2010Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Echostar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Jason Gaede, Germar Schaefer
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Patent number: 9269397Abstract: Various arrangements are presented that may involve receiving from a television service provider, timers that are used to record a managed channel array. Each of these timers define a television channel, a time period, and a date. The received timers may be set at a television receiver. User input may be received that specifies an undesired television channel that is not to be recorded according to the received plurality of timers, the undesired television channel being part of the managed channel array. An amount of storage space for the managed channel array excluding the undesired television channel may be calculated. Storage space may be allocated based upon the calculated amount of storage space for the managed channel array excluding the undesired television channel.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2015Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Steven Michael Casagrande, Yunfeng Yang, Mark Templeman, Kranti Kumar Kilaru, Germar Schaefer
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Patent number: 9177605Abstract: A first user interface may be presented comprising a single selection option that enables recording of multiple television channels. A first user input, in response to the first user interface may be received enabling the option for recording of the multiple television channels. Data indicating a time period during which a television channel of the multiple television channels is to be recorded may be received from a television service provider. A record timer for the television channel of the multiple television channels may be set based on the user input enabling recording of multiple television channels and the data indicating the time period. The television channel of the multiple television channels may be recorded based on the record timer.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.Inventors: Danny Jean Minnick, Germar Schaefer
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Publication number: 20150208119Abstract: Various arrangements are presented that may involve receiving from a television service provider, timers that are used to record a managed channel array. Each of these timers define a television channel, a time period, and a date. The received timers may be set at a television receiver. User input may be received that specifies an undesired television channel that is not to be recorded according to the received plurality of timers, the undesired television channel being part of the managed channel array. An amount of storage space for the managed channel array excluding the undesired television channel may be calculated. Storage space may be allocated based upon the calculated amount of storage space for the managed channel array excluding the undesired television channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2015Publication date: July 23, 2015Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Steven Michael Casagrande, Yunfeng Yang, Mark Templeman, Kranti Kumar Kilaru, Germar Schaefer
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Patent number: 9031385Abstract: Various arrangements for managing television programming storage at a television receiver are presented. User input specifying a number of days for retention of each managed array of a plurality of managed arrays of television channels to be recorded by the television receiver may be received. A television service provider may select a plurality of television channels for recording as the plurality of managed arrays of television channels. Also, the television service provider may define times for recording of the plurality of television channels of the plurality of managed arrays of television channels. A first amount of storage space for storage of the plurality of managed arrays of television channels may be calculated based on the number of days for retention. The first amount of storage space of a storage medium to the plurality of managed arrays of television channels may be allocated.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Steven Michael Casagrande, Yunfeng Yang, Mark Templeman, Kranti Kumar Kilaru, Germar Schaefer
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Patent number: 8989562Abstract: An arrangement for grouping multiple television channels for recording is presented. Television channel usage data indicative of television programs being requested by users of the television receivers may be received. The television channel usage data may provide usage data for television channels being transmitted using a plurality of transponders. The television channel usage data may be analyzed to determine a grouping of television channels. Based on the television channel usage data, a television channel may be reassigned from a first transponder to a second transponder for transmission to the plurality of television receivers such that the grouping of television channels are transmitted using the second transponder.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: David Kummer, Henry Gregg Martch, Morgan Kirby, Anand Menon, Germar Schaefer
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Patent number: 8959544Abstract: Various arrangements for descrambling multiple television channels concurrently are presented. A set-top box may receive a first plurality of television channels as scrambled data packets. A previously-received locally-stored networking information table may be accessed that associates each of the multiple television channels with the same entitlement control message, as indicated by a packet identifier. An entitlement control message having the same packet identifier may be received. A smartcard may be used to decrypt the entitlement control message having the same packet identifier to obtain a first control word and a second control word. Scrambled data packets corresponding to the multiple television channels may be descrambled using the first control word and the second control word. These television channels may be stored and/or output for presentation by the set-top box.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2013Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Echostar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: David Kummer, Germar Schaefer
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Patent number: 8931031Abstract: A method of presenting a matrix code for providing accessibility content includes receiving, at a content receiver, a signal carrying accessibility content, generating, at the content receiver, a matrix code from the accessibility content, and transmitting the matrix code as part of a content presentation to a presentation device for display, wherein the content presentation includes at least one of audio and visual content and the accessibility content includes an alternative form of at least one of the audio and the visual content for allowing a user to more fully comprehend the content presentation. Systems for implementing the method are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: Germar Schaefer
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Publication number: 20140341377Abstract: Various arrangements for encrypting multiple television channels are presented. A first television channel of a plurality of television channels to be protected via a first entitlement control message (ECM) using a first encryption scheme may be designated. The plurality of television channels may be transmitted using a single transponder stream. A second television channel of the plurality of television channels to be protected via a second ECM encrypted using a second encryption scheme while the first television channel of the plurality of television channels is protected using the first encryption scheme may be designated. The first and second ECMs may be transmitted to a plurality of television receivers. Data from the first ECM may be used for descrambling of the first television channel by the plurality of television receivers. Data from the second ECM may be used for descrambling of the second television channel by the plurality of television receivers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2014Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.Inventors: David Kummer, Germar Schaefer
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Patent number: 8833640Abstract: One embodiment described herein may take the form of a system or method for generating one or more matrix codes that may then be obtained by a reader device, the one or more matrix codes including information that may be utilized to aid in the installation and configuration of one or more components of a distribution system. In one embodiment, the one or more matrix codes may be utilized by the system to configure one or more aspects and features of a component of the system, such as a receiver or display device. In another embodiment, the one or matrix codes may provide system information to a provider or an installer to verify proper installation of one or more components. The information encoded in the matrix codes may include any type of information about one or more components of the distribution system to aid the system or an installer in configuring or installing components of the system.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Henry Gregg Martch, Germar Schaefer, Max S. Gratton
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Patent number: 8819722Abstract: Various arrangements for encrypting multiple television channels are presented. A first television channel of a plurality of television channels to be protected via a first entitlement control message (ECM) using a first encryption scheme may be designated. The plurality of television channels may be transmitted using a single transponder stream. A second television channel of the plurality of television channels to be protected via a second ECM encrypted using a second encryption scheme while the first television channel of the plurality of television channels is protected using the first encryption scheme may be designated. The first and second ECMs may be transmitted to a plurality of television receivers. Data from the first ECM may be used for descrambling of the first television channel by the plurality of television receivers. Data from the second ECM may be used for descrambling of the second television channel by the plurality of television receivers.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Echostar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: David Kummer, Germar Schaefer