Patents by Inventor Harlan Ford

Harlan Ford 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: 9197858
    Abstract: Multimedia distribution and broadcast systems and related processes are provided for transmitting multimedia contents and control information from a central uplink facility to a remote downlink via a satellite. The system is preferably implemented in order to generate sequences of multimedia that are broadcast from the remote downlink facility to viewers. The display arrangements of the multimedia sequences are varied and customized by each downlink facility using the control information in order to better inform and entertain viewers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. McCoy, Edward R. Andes, David M. Berezowski, Bruce A. Blackwell, Franklin E. Boyer, Jon R. Braunsma, James T. Buckley, Eric Cockrell, Timothy B. Demers, Harlan Ford, Donald C. Kern, Pamela S. Klich, Terry J. Kroh, Randall C. Lievsay, Douglas E. Naufel, Steven P. Reiser, Alan K. Roper, Ronald R. Russell, Robert A. Wallis
  • Publication number: 20120240149
    Abstract: Multimedia distribution and broadcast systems and related processes are provided for transmitting multimedia contents and control information from a central uplink facility to a remote downlink via a satellite. The system is preferably implemented in order to generate sequences of multimedia that are broadcast from the remote downlink facility to viewers. The display arrangements of the multimedia sequences are varied and customized by each downlink facility using the control information in order to better inform and entertain viewers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert H. McCoy, Edward R. Andes, David M. Berezowski, Bruce A. Blackwell, Franklin E. Boyer, Jon R. Braunsma, James T. Buckley, Eric Cockrell, Timothy B. Demers, Harlan Ford, Donald C. Kern, Pamela S. Klich, Terry J. Kroh, Randall C. Lievsay, Douglas E. Naufel, Steven P. Reiser, Alan K. Roper, Ronald R. Russell, Robert A. Wallis
  • Patent number: 8151297
    Abstract: Multimedia distribution and broadcast systems and related processes are provided for transmitting multimedia contents and control information from a central uplink facility to a remote downlink via a satellite. The system is preferably implemented in order to generate sequences of multimedia that are broadcast from the remote downlink facility to viewers. The display arrangements of the multimedia sequences are varied and customized by each downlink facility using the control information in order to better inform and entertain viewers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. McCoy, Edward R. Andes, David M. Berezowski, Bruce A. Blackwell, Franklin E. Boyer, Jon R. Braunsma, James T. Buckley, Eric Cockrell, Timothy B. Demers, Harlan Ford, Donald C. Kern, Pamela S. Klich, Terry J. Kroh, Randall C. Lievsay, Douglas E. Naufel, Steven P. Reiser, Alan K. Roper, Ronald R. Russell, Robert A. Wallis
  • Publication number: 20030088873
    Abstract: Multimedia distribution and broadcast systems and related processes are provided for transmitting multimedia contents and control information from a central uplink facility to a remote downlink via a satellite. The system is preferably implemented in order to generate sequences of multimedia that are broadcast from the remote downlink facility to viewers. The display arrangements of the multimedia sequences are varied and customized by each downlink facility using the control information in order to better inform and entertain viewers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. McCoy, Edward R. Andes, David M. Berezowski, Bruce A. Blackwell, Franklin E. Boyer, Jon R. Braunsma, James T. Buckley, Eric Cockrell, Timothy B. Demers, Harlan Ford, Donald C. Kern, Pamela S. Klich, Terry J. Kroh, Randall C. Lievsay, Douglas E. Naufel, Steven P. Reiser, Alan K. Roper, Ronald R. Russell, Robert A. Wallis
  • Patent number: 6526575
    Abstract: Multimedia distribution and broadcast systems and related processes are provided for transmitting multimedia contents and control information from a central uplink facility to a remote downlink via a satellite. The system is preferably implemented in order to generate sequences of multimedia that are broadcast from the remote downlink facility to viewers. The display arrangements of the multimedia sequences are varied and customized by each downlink facility using the control information in order to better inform and entertain viewers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. McCoy, Edward R. Andes, David M. Berezowski, Bruce A. Blackwell, Franklin E. Boyer, Jon R. Braunsma, James T. Buckley, Eric Cockrell, Timothy B. Demers, Harlan Ford, Donald C. Kern, Pamela S. Klich, Terry J. Kroh, Randall C. Lievsay, Douglas E. Naufel, Steven P. Reiser, Alan K. Roper, Ronald R. Russell, Robert A. Wallis
  • Patent number: 6519770
    Abstract: A system is provided for filtering out potentially objectionable content from a video. The system is preferably implemented with user equipment such as a set-top box, a dedicated stand-alone box, a videocassette recorder, or circuitry in other television equipment. Videos to be filtered have embedded information that identifies potentially objectionable substitution events. The system determines which substitution events are to be filtered out based on selectable ratings settings. If desired, filtered video images may be replaced with blank video images and filtered audio signals may by replaced with silence or a tone. Filtering may also be accomplished by disrupting the event to be filtered (e.g., by garbling the event). Filtering may involve making substitutions of audio or video information. For example, audio information in a substitution event may be replaced by appropriate audio segments. Video information in a substitution event may be replaced by a video still or by a video clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: K. Harlan Ford
  • Publication number: 20010001159
    Abstract: A system is provided for filtering out potentially objectionable content from a video. The system is preferably implemented with user equipment such as a set-top box, a dedicated stand-alone box, a videocassette recorder, or circuitry in other television equipment. Videos to be filtered have embedded information that identifies potentially objectionable substitution events. The system determines which substitution events are to be filtered out based on selectable ratings settings. If desired, filtered video images may be replaced with blank video images and filtered audio signals may by replaced with silence or a tone. Filtering may also be accomplished by disrupting the event to be filtered (e.g., by garbling the event). Filtering may involve making substitutions of audio or video information. For example, audio information in a substitution event may be replaced by appropriate audio segments. Video information in a substitution event may be replaced by a video still or by a video clip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Publication date: May 10, 2001
    Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc.,
    Inventor: K. Harlan Ford
  • Patent number: 6181364
    Abstract: A system is provided for filtering out potentially objectionable content from a video. The system is preferably implemented with user equipment such as a set-top box, a dedicated stand-alone box, a videocassette recorder, or circuitry in other television equipment. Videos to be filtered have embedded information that identifies potentially objectionable substitution events. The system determines which substitution events are to be filtered out based on selectable ratings settings. If desired, filtered video images may be replaced with blank video images and filtered audio signals may by replaced with silence or a tone. Filtering may also be accomplished by disrupting the event to be filtered (e.g., by garbling the event). Filtering may involve making substitutions of audio or video information. For example, audio information in a substitution event may be replaced by appropriate audio segments. Video information in a substitution event may be replaced by a video still or by a video clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: K. Harlan Ford