Patents by Inventor Keith Gerhards

Keith Gerhards 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: 20120217292
    Abstract: 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 access additional content related to one or more multimedia presentations. For example, the information contained within the one or more matrix codes may include one or more web addresses that, when selected, may link to one or more webpages on the Internet containing information related to the multimedia presentation. In another example, the information contained within the matrix codes may include instructions that may be executed by an electronic device to provide the additional content. The additional content may be displayed a display device associated with the distribution system, on a reader device, or any electronic device that includes a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Max S. Gratton, John T. Kennedy, William Michael Beals, Keith Gerhards
  • Publication number: 20120182320
    Abstract: One embodiment described herein may take the form of a system or method utilizing one or matrix codes to aid in installing a display device. In one embodiment, the one or more matrix codes may be utilized to configure the transmission of the multimedia presentation based on the orientation of the display device. In general, the one or more matrix codes may be obtained and decoded by one or more devices such that the information contained within the matrix codes may be provided to an electronic device for configuration of the multimedia presentation. In another embodiment, the one or more matrix codes may be utilized to determine the resolution of the display device and/or, in yet another embodiment, the generated matrix codes may be configured to account for the resolution of an associated display device, such that matrix codes displayed on a low resolution display device may be larger than matrix codes displayed on a high resolution display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies LLC
    Inventors: William Michael Beals, Keith Gerhards
  • Publication number: 20120155838
    Abstract: A method for presenting a matrix code may include receiving, at a content receiver, a signal carrying identifying data relating to a remotely accessible program, generating, at a content receiver, a matrix code from the identifying data relating to the remotely accessible program, transmitting the matrix code as part of a content presentation to a presentation device for display, and receiving the remotely accessible program in response to a user capture of the matrix code. A method for remotely controlling a set top box and a method for setting a recording time on a set top box are also described. A method of preparing a program guide may include gathering program information, generating matrix codes for each program including program data, and associating the matrix codes with respective programs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Keith Gerhards, Dan J. Minnick, Kranti Kilaru
  • Publication number: 20120151524
    Abstract: A method for collecting advertisement viewer information includes receiving a signal carrying a television advertisement, reading viewing data associated with the advertisement from a computer readable storage medium, compiling a matrix code including the viewing data for inclusion in the advertisement and scanning by a viewer, and transmitting the advertisement with the matrix code to a presentation device for display. A system for including advertisement viewer information in a matrix code is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kranti Kilaru, Keith Gerhards
  • Publication number: 20110078434
    Abstract: A method of process management for facilitating switching of operating modes within an electronic device is presented. In the method, the electronic device initiates a first process associated in a configuration file with a first operating mode of the device. The configuration file includes an indication as to whether the first process is authorized to request a switch to a second operating mode of the device. A request to switch to the second operating mode is received from the first process. The device determines by way of the indication whether the first process is authorized to issue the request. If the first process is authorized to issue the request, the device initiates a second process associated in the configuration file with the second operating mode in response to the request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventors: Shiqiang Chu, Kan Man Wong, Keith Gerhards, Michael Steinert
  • Publication number: 20100199308
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to displaying supplemental content during a time period that occurs when a receiver switches from a first broadcast channel to a second broadcast channel. The supplemental content may include still or motion graphics, logos, animation, advertisements and/or modified frames of one or more of the first and second display channels. In connection with displaying supplemental content during a channel change, a receiver may use electronic program guide information to obtain graphics or scheduling information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Neale Hall, Keith Gerhards, A. Terry Pattison