Patents by Inventor Kenneth L. Hamel

Kenneth L. Hamel 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: 11589111
    Abstract: In a system for broadcasting video programs to a user including a display, a system and method for providing program information or a copy of at least a portion of a program to the user. In one embodiment, a controller receives an input signal representing a request for summary information concerning a program, the program having a beginning and the input signal generated at a time during the broadcast. The controller provides via the display a summary of the program from the program beginning to the input signal time in response to the input signal. A controller may alternatively monitor a period of time during which the display is tuned to a broadcast of a program, the period starting during the broadcast. The controller is used to provide via the display a copy of at least a portion of the program when the period exceeds a predetermined threshold time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Brenner, Michael E. Cain, Kenneth L. Hamel, Joshua D. Staller
  • Publication number: 20160007082
    Abstract: In a system for broadcasting video programs to a user including a display, a system and method for providing program information or a copy of at least a portion of a program to the user. In one aspect, a device tuned to a channel for a period of time communicates a request for a portion of a program transmitted prior to the period of time. The device may generate a prompt seeking approval to make the request. A controller receiving the request may cause the portion to be provided from storage in response to the request. A controller may alternatively monitor a period of time during which a device is tuned to a channel and provide a copy of at least a portion of the program when the period exceeds a predetermined threshold time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Scott Brenner, Michael E. Cain, Kenneth L. Hamel, Joshua D. Staller
  • Publication number: 20120204214
    Abstract: In a system for broadcasting video programs to a user including a display, a system and method for providing program information or a copy of at least a portion of a program to the user. In one embodiment, a controller receives an input signal representing a request for summary information concerning a program, the program having a beginning and the input signal generated at a time during the broadcast. The controller provides via the display a summary of the program from the program beginning to the input signal time in response to the input signal. A controller may alternatively monitor a period of time during which the display is tuned to a broadcast of a program, the period starting during the broadcast. The controller is used to provide via the display a copy of at least a portion of the program when the period exceeds a predetermined threshold time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Scott Brenner, Michael E. Cain, Kenneth L. Hamel, Joshua D. Staller
  • Patent number: 8181215
    Abstract: In a system for broadcasting video programs to a user including a display, a system and method for providing program information or a copy of at least a portion of a program to the user. In one embodiment, a controller receives an input signal representing a request for summary information concerning a program, the program having a beginning and the input signal generated at a time during the broadcast. The controller provides via the display a summary of the program from the program beginning to the input signal time in response to the input signal. A controller may alternatively monitor a period of time during which the display is tuned to a broadcast of a program, the period starting during the broadcast. The controller is used to provide via the display a copy of at least a portion of the program when the period exceeds a predetermined threshold time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Brenner, Michael E. Cain, Kenneth L. Hamel, Joshua D. Staller
  • Publication number: 20040177380
    Abstract: A method and system for distributing a decoded audio/video broadcast programming signal to a monitor includes using a set top box (STB) docked with a docking station, connected to a television. The method and system provides a subscriber of the broadcast programming the distribution of the STB amongst docking stations and associated televisions. The STB may include a video recorder for recording audio/video broadcast programming. The docking station may contain an identifier that the STB can recognize and use to limit or expand the decoded audio/video broadcast programming signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Comcast Cable Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Hamel, Scott Brenner
  • Publication number: 20030154479
    Abstract: In a system for broadcasting video programs to a user including a display, a system and method for providing program information or a copy of at least a portion of a program to the user. In one embodiment, a controller receives an input signal representing a request for summary information concerning a program, the program having a beginning and the input signal generated at a time during the broadcast. The controller provides via the display a summary of the program from the program beginning to the input signal time in response to the input signal. A controller may alternatively monitor a period of time during which the display is tuned to a broadcast of a program, the period starting during the broadcast. The controller is used to provide via the display a copy of at least a portion of the program when the period exceeds a predetermined threshold time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Scott Brenner, Michael E. Cain, Kenneth L. Hamel, Joshua D. Staller
  • Patent number: 5943402
    Abstract: A method and system for segmenting and acting upon segments of, for example, a previously generated voice message by inserting audible interrupts into the voice message for partitioning the voice message into segments. Upon initiating or encountering such an interrupt in a voice message, a subscriber may act upon a segment adjacent to the interrupt. Actions on the adjacent segment include replaying the segment, forwarding the segment to an addressee with comments, deleting the segment, or no action although retaining the option of future action on the adjacent segment. Furthermore, the inserted interrupts may be inserted by the originating party of the voice message for action by the originating party, or by the originating party for future action by another receiving party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignees: U S West, Inc., MediaOne Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Hamel, Louis A. Cox, Hans-Peter Mueller
  • Patent number: 5655006
    Abstract: An automated method and system for voice processing is used with a plurality of voice mail boxes each of which is assigned to a corresponding one of a plurality of subscribers and is operative to receive and store a plurality of voice messages. After playback of the stored message has begun, playback may be suspended and a response may be generated by a subscriber (the called party) to the previous message segment. The response is directed to a selected destination and may include attachment of the message segment. Playback may thereafter be resumed and suspended in the same manner so as to form multiple responses to the stored message. Multiple responses to the same destination are concatenated so as to form a single concatenated response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: U S West, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis Anthony Cox, Jr., Edward J. Fontenot, Kenneth L. Hamel, Hans-Peter Mueller, Victoria L. Corlew