Patents by Inventor Max Stephen Gratton

Max Stephen Gratton 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: 9609379
    Abstract: A television receiver may be configured to receive, from a user of the television receiver, a set of viewing rules that define a focus preference of the user. The television receiver may output, to a presentation device, a video mosaic comprising a plurality of pieces of content presented as a plurality of tiles. Each piece of content may be linked with a corresponding audio stream from a plurality of audio streams. The television receiver may select a piece of content for focus from the plurality of pieces of content based on the set of viewing rules defined by the user. The television receiver may output only an audio stream linked with the piece of content being focused on from among the plurality of audio streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventors: Henry Gregg Martch, Max Stephen Gratton
  • Publication number: 20160309212
    Abstract: A television receiver may be configured to receive, from a user of the television receiver, a set of viewing rules that define a focus preference of the user. The television receiver may output, to a presentation device, a video mosaic comprising a plurality of pieces of content presented as a plurality of tiles. Each piece of content may be linked with a corresponding audio stream from a plurality of audio streams. The television receiver may select a piece of content for focus from the plurality of pieces of content based on the set of viewing rules defined by the user. The television receiver may output only an audio stream linked with the piece of content being focused on from among the plurality of audio streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Henry Gregg Martch, Max Stephen Gratton
  • Patent number: 9420333
    Abstract: A television receiver may be configured to receive, from a user of the television receiver, a set of viewing rules that define a focus preference of the user. The television receiver may output, to a presentation device, a video mosaic comprising a plurality of pieces of content presented as a plurality of tiles. Each piece of content may be linked with a corresponding audio stream from a plurality of audio streams. The television receiver may select a piece of content for focus from the plurality of pieces of content based on the set of viewing rules defined by the user. The television receiver may output only an audio stream linked with the piece of content being focused on from among the plurality of audio streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventors: Henry Gregg Martch, Max Stephen Gratton
  • Patent number: 9154721
    Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide techniques for a DVR to utilize the same data stream to record multiple events with adjacent time slots simultaneously. A DVR is configured to recognize when two recording timers for programs on the same channel overlap. Content for each program may be stored in separate event files on the DVR or the content in one event file may be linked with the content in another event file. Thus, overlapping content may be accessed through either of the event files.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: DISH NETWORK L.L.C.
    Inventor: Max Stephen Gratton
  • Publication number: 20150181279
    Abstract: A television receiver may be configured to receive, from a user of the television receiver, a set of viewing rules that define a focus preference of the user. The television receiver may output, to a presentation device, a video mosaic comprising a plurality of pieces of content presented as a plurality of tiles. Each piece of content may be linked with a corresponding audio stream from a plurality of audio streams. The television receiver may select a piece of content for focus from the plurality of pieces of content based on the set of viewing rules defined by the user. The television receiver may output only an audio stream linked with the piece of content being focused on from among the plurality of audio streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Henry Gregg Martch, Max Stephen Gratton
  • Patent number: 8973038
    Abstract: Arrangements for providing available playback options for missed portions of broadcast content may be presented. A request to present an electronic programming guide that comprises indications of a plurality of television programs currently being broadcast may be received. A missed portion of each television program of the plurality of television programs may have already been broadcast. For each television program of the plurality of television programs, a plurality of content resources from which the missed portion of each television program of the plurality of television programs may be retrievable may be analyzed. A first source from the plurality of content resources from which the missed portion of a television program is retrievable may be identified. The electronic programming guide may be configured and output to comprise an indication of availability of the missed portion of the television program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Echostar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Max Stephen Gratton
  • Publication number: 20140331260
    Abstract: Arrangements for providing available playback options for missed portions of broadcast content may be presented. A request to present an electronic programming guide that comprises indications of a plurality of television programs currently being broadcast may be received. A missed portion of each television program of the plurality of television programs may have already been broadcast. For each television program of the plurality of television programs, a plurality of content resources from which the missed portion of each television program of the plurality of television programs may be retrievable may be analyzed. A first source from the plurality of content resources from which the missed portion of a television program is retrievable may be identified. The electronic programming guide may be configured and output to comprise an indication of availability of the missed portion of the television program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Max Stephen Gratton
  • Patent number: 8827150
    Abstract: A method for processing a matrix barcode displayed in three dimensions to extract data represented thereby involves capturing the component images of the three-dimensional representation. The method includes receiving a first component image of the matrix barcode and receiving a second component image of the matrix barcode as the two images are displayed on a display device. After the two images have been received, the first component image and the second component image of the matrix barcode are captured on an image capture device. Then depth information between elements of the matrix barcode presented in the first and second component images is determined and additional data represented in such depth information is extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Max Stephen Gratton, David S. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20140076963
    Abstract: A method for processing a matrix barcode displayed in three dimensions to extract data represented thereby involves capturing the component images of the three-dimensional representation. The method includes receiving a first component image of the matrix barcode and receiving a second component image of the matrix barcode as the two images are displayed on a display device. After the two images have been received, the first component image and the second component image of the matrix barcode are captured on an image capture device. Then depth information between elements of the matrix barcode presented in the first and second component images is determined and additional data represented in such depth information is extracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Max Stephen Gratton, David S. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 8534540
    Abstract: A method for processing a matrix barcode displayed in three dimensions to extract data represented thereby involves capturing the component images of the three-dimensional representation. The method includes receiving a first component image of the matrix barcode and receiving a second component image of the matrix barcode as the two images are displayed on a display device. After the two images have been received, the first component image and the second component image of the matrix barcode are captured on an image capture device. Then depth information between elements of the matrix barcode presented in the first and second component images is determined and additional data represented in such depth information is extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Echostar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Max Stephen Gratton, David S. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 8408466
    Abstract: An electronic device identifies that it will transmit a matrix code to a display. Then, the device may transmit a signal to a matrix code reader. The signal instructs the reader to perform a matrix code capture action such as playing an alert, powering an optical reader, launching a capture application, and so on. The device may evaluate one or more conditions before transmitting and the reader may evaluate one or more conditions before performing the action. The device may transmit the signal to any reader within a communication range, only to readers on a matrix code reader list, and so on. Additionally, a reader may transmit a confirmation message to the device when the reader captures a matrix code after receiving a related signal confirming that the matrix code was captured successfully.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Max Stephen Gratton
  • Patent number: 8245253
    Abstract: Displaying music information associated with a television program is described. In one aspect, a television program is received that contains at least one music track. Information associated with the music track is identified and a request is received from a user to display music information associated with the television program. In response to the user request, a list is generated that identifies the music track in the television program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Dish Network L.L.C.
    Inventors: Max Stephen Gratton, Aaron Thomas Dobberstein
  • Publication number: 20120181329
    Abstract: A method for processing a matrix barcode displayed in three dimensions to extract data represented thereby involves capturing the component images of the three-dimensional representation. The method includes receiving a first component image of the matrix barcode and receiving a second component image of the matrix barcode as the two images are displayed on a display device. After the two images have been received, the first component image and the second component image of the matrix barcode are captured on an image capture device. Then depth information between elements of the matrix barcode presented in the first and second component images is determined and additional data represented in such depth information is extracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventors: Max Stephen Gratton, David S. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20120168510
    Abstract: An electronic device identifies that it will transmit a matrix code to a display. Then, the device may transmit a signal to a matrix code reader. The signal instructs the reader to perform a matrix code capture action such as playing an alert, powering an optical reader, launching a capture application, and so on. The device may evaluate one or more conditions before transmitting and the reader may evaluate one or more conditions before performing the action. The device may transmit the signal to any reader within a communication range, only to readers on a matrix code reader list, and so on. Additionally, a reader may transmit a confirmation message to the device when the reader captures a matrix code after receiving a related signal confirming that the matrix code was captured successfully.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Max Stephen Gratton
  • Publication number: 20120159535
    Abstract: Displaying music information associated with a television program is described. In one aspect, a television program is received that contains at least one music track. Information associated with the music track is identified and a request is received from a user to display music information associated with the television program. In response to the user request, a list is generated that identifies the music track in the television program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Dish Network L.L.C.
    Inventors: Max Stephen Gratton, Aaron Thomas Dobberstein
  • Publication number: 20120158769
    Abstract: Distributing and identifying music is described. In one aspect, multiple music tracks are received by a music receiver from a music content provider. At least a portion of the music tracks are played in a geographic area near the music receiver. A report is generated that identifies music tracks played in the geographic area and a time associated with playing each music track. The report is then communicated to the music content provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Dish Network L.L.C.
    Inventor: Max Stephen Gratton
  • Publication number: 20120158536
    Abstract: Identifying content purchasing options based on user preferences is described. In one aspect, a system receives user content preferences. Multiple content packages associated with a content provider are identified such that the content packages include at least a portion of the user content preferences. The system identifies any user content preferences missing from each of the multiple content packages. Based on the identified content packages and the user content preferences, a listing of content purchasing options is generated that is appropriate for the user. The listing of content purchasing options also includes any user content preferences missing from each of the multiple content packages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Dish Network L.L.C.
    Inventor: Max Stephen Gratton
  • Publication number: 20100247067
    Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide techniques for a DVR to utilize the same data stream to record multiple events with adjacent time slots simultaneously. A DVR is configured to recognize when two recording timers for programs on the same channel overlap. Content for each program may be stored in separate event files on the DVR or the content in one event file may be linked with the content in another event file. Thus, overlapping content may be accessed through either of the event files.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Dish Network L.L.C.
    Inventor: Max Stephen Gratton