Patents by Inventor Michael Pugel

Michael Pugel 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: 20080062332
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) such as a television signal receiver processes a pilot signal to enable, among other things, proper generation of an L?R stereo difference signal. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus (100) includes a signal source (702) operative to provide a pilot signal, and a processing circuit (704-724) operative to process the pilot signal to generate a first processed pilot signal having an AC component and a DC component. The processing circuit (704-724) uses the DC component to control a signal parameter of the AC component and generate a second processed pilot signal that may be used to generate the L?R stereo difference signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING S.A.
    Inventors: Paul Filliman, Michael Pugel
  • Publication number: 20070256094
    Abstract: A gateway apparatus is capable of distributing signals such as audio, video, and/or data signals in a household and/or business dwelling using the existing coaxial cable infrastructure, and the signal distribution is controlled using the coaxial cable infrastructure as a back channel. According to an exemplary embodiment, the gateway apparatus includes signal processing elements for receiving signals from a broadcast source and processing the received signals to generate processed analog signals. A back channel demodulator receives a request signal from a client device via a coaxial cable connecting the gateway apparatus and the client device. The processed analog signals are provided to the client device via the coaxial cable responsive to the request signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Michael Pugel, Douglas Lankford, John Curtis III, Keith Wehmeyer, Mike Derrenberger, Terry Lockridge, Andrew Bowyer
  • Publication number: 20070242158
    Abstract: Signal processing apparatus suitable for performing front-end signal processing in a multi-channel receiving device such as a multi-channel television signal receiver utilizes a cost-effective and scaleable architecture. According to an exemplary embodiment, the signal processing apparatus includes an RF signal source operative to generate first and second RF signals responsive to user channel selection. A first IF generator is operative to generate a first IF signal corresponding to the first RF signal responsive to the user channel selection. A second IF generator is operative to generate a second IF signal corresponding to the second RF signal responsive to the user channel selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventor: Michael Pugel
  • Publication number: 20060270340
    Abstract: A gateway apparatus is capable of distributing audio, video, and/or data signals in a household and/or business dwelling using the existing coaxial cable infrastructure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the gateway apparatus includes signal processing elements which receive signals from a satellite source and process the received signals to generate analog signals corresponding to a desired satellite transponder. A controller enables generation of the analog signals responsive to a request signal. The analog signals are provided to a client device via a coaxial cable connecting the gateway apparatus and the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Pugel, Douglas Lankford, John Curtis, Keith Wehmeyer, Mike Derrenberger, Terry Lockridge, Andrew Bowyer
  • Publication number: 20060190967
    Abstract: A multi-channel satellite signal receiving apparatus is capable of simultaneously providing broadcast programs from a plurality of different sets of transponders in a satellite broadcast system. According to an exemplary embodiment, the multi-channel satellite signal receiving apparatus includes an input operative to receive input signals via a single cable from a predetermined frequency band having a first sub-band and a second sub-band. The first sub-band includes first signals which previously exhibited a first polarization provided from a first set of transponders, and the second sub-band includes second signals which previously exhibited a second polarization provided from a second set of transponders. Signal processing circuitry is operative to simultaneously provide a plurality of digital transport streams corresponding to the first and second sets of transponders responsive to the first and second signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventor: Michael Pugel
  • Publication number: 20060189291
    Abstract: A signal receiving apparatus provides a flexible architecture for single or multiple channel reception capability. According to an exemplary embodiment, the signal receiving apparatus includes a front-end processor and one or more channel recovery elements. The front-end processor includes an A/D converter, a demultiplexer, and one or more filters. The A/D converter receives analog RF signals and converts the analog RF signals to digital RF signals. The demultiplexer Decimates the digital RF signals to generate decimated RF signals. The one or more filters filter the decimated RF signals to generate filtered RF signals. The one or more channel recovery elements process the filtered RF signals to provide baseband signals corresponding to one or more frequency channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventor: Michael Pugel
  • Publication number: 20060190528
    Abstract: A server apparatus is capable of distributing audio, video, and/or data signals in a household and/or business dwelling using the existing coaxial cable infrastructure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the server apparatus includes a receiving element operative to receive signals from a broadcast source. First processing elements generate first analog signals responsive to the received signals. Second processing elements generate second analog signals responsive to the received signals. The first analog signals are provided to a first dent device via a coaxial cable connecting the server apparatus and the first client device. The second analog signals are provided to a second client device via the coaxial cable connecting the server apparatus and the second client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Pugel, Douglas Lankford, John Curtis, Keith Wehmeyer, Mike Derrenberger, Terry Lockridge, Andrew Bowyer
  • Publication number: 20060168636
    Abstract: A server apparatus is capable of distributing recorded content in a household and/or business dwelling using the existing coaxial cable infrastructure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the server apparatus includes a front-end processor operative to receive signals from a broadcast source and process the received signals to generate digital data. A memory is operative to record the digital data. A controller is operative to enable retrieval of the digital data from the memory. An encoder is operative to encode the retrieved digital data with error correction data to generate encoded digital signals. A digital-to-analog converter is operative to convert the encoded digital signals to analog signals. A modulator is operative to modulate the analog signals to generate processed analog signals, which are provided to a client device via a coaxial cable connecting the server apparatus and the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING S.A.
    Inventors: Michael Pugel, Douglas Lankford, John Curtis III, Keith Wehmeyer, Mike Derrenberger, Terry Lockridge, Andrew Bowyer
  • Publication number: 20060055527
    Abstract: An apparatus such as a television signal receiver provides an emergency alert function, according to an exemplary embodiment, the television signal receiver includes a first tuner for tuning a first channel when the television signal receiver is in an on mode. A second tuner is provided for tuning a second channel when the television signal receiver is in the on mode and an off/standby mode. The second channel provides emergency alert signals capable of activating the emergency alert function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventor: Michael Pugel
  • Publication number: 20060059512
    Abstract: An apparatus such as a television signal receiver provides an emergency alert function and an auxiliary information display function. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a tuner operative to tune signals including emergency alert signals associated with the emergency alert function. A processor is operative to enable a disabled user setting for the auxiliary information display function responsive to the emergency alert signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventor: Michael Pugel
  • Publication number: 20060038926
    Abstract: A technique for performing channel detection in a device such as a television signal receiver is capable of quickly determining the analog and/or digital broadcast channels available in a given area. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for performing channel detection includes tuning a first frequency channel, determining whether a signal parameter associated with the first frequency channel exceeds a predetermined threshold, and enabling a first channel acquisition operation responsive to determining that the signal parameter exceeds the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Matthew Mayer, Michael Pugel, Max Muterspaugh
  • Publication number: 20060031582
    Abstract: A system for inserting alert based information into broadcast programming over a program distribution network. A program distributor transmits broadcast programming over program distribution network via a network fabric. When program distributor receives alert based information, the program distributor converts the alert information from a first format to a second format compatible with the broadcast programming and the program distributor inserts the converted alert into a signal carrying the broadcast programming via the network fabric. A method is also disclosed for inserting alert based information into a broadcast programming transmitted over a program distribution network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Pugel, David Virag
  • Publication number: 20060020992
    Abstract: An alert receiver includes a discriminator, which receives encoded signals from a network. The encoded signals report an event from an information source coupled to the network, wherein the discriminator compares the encoded signals, which include codes designating geographic locations, to codes associated with specific localities to determine whether to alert a user. A warning device is responsive to a result of comparing the encoded signals to the codes associated with specific localities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Pugel, David Virag
  • Publication number: 20050237389
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and/or method provides frequency response adjustment of an RF input filter of an RF tuner based on impedance of an antenna system that is providing reception of RF signals to the RF tuner. The frequency response adjustment is preferably accomplished dynamically and/or with respect to each frequency tuned. Particularly, the system, method and/or apparatus provides compensation at the RF tuner level for mistuning effects produced on the RF tuner by antenna system impedance presented at the antenna input that is other than a designed for impedance. Frequency response of an RF input filter for the RF tuner is electronically adjustable with an independent or semi-independent control voltage signal based on one or more measured parameters of a tuning frequency. Frequency response adjustment may include adjustment of a center frequency of the RF input filter bandpass frequency range and/or altering the bandpass frequency range of the RF input filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Pugel, Kumar Ramaswamy
  • Publication number: 20050229206
    Abstract: A television signal processing system having an emergency alert function is capable of receiving emergency alert signals and providing alert outputs to notify individuals of emergency events. According to one exemplary embodiment, the television signal processing system includes a tuner operative to tune a frequency including emergency alert signals indicating an emergency event. A processor is operative to enable an alert output responsive to the emergency alert signals when the emergency event indicated by the emergency alert signals corresponds to a geographical area selectable by a user. According to another exemplary embodiment, the processor is operative to enable an alert output responsive to the emergency alert signals when the emergency event indicated by the emergency alert signals corresponds to a predetermined event selectable by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Pugel, John Merrell, Scott Kendall, David Virag, Michael Bridge
  • Patent number: 6925291
    Abstract: An electronic alignment system for a television signal tuner utilizes first and second controllers for generating respective first and second control signals for respective first and second signal processing circuits of a signal processing arrangement, with the first and second signal processing circuits having respective first and second tunable elements responsive to the respective first and second control signals. A deviation range of the first control signal is higher than a deviation range of the second control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventor: Michael A. Pugel
  • Publication number: 20050166221
    Abstract: A television signal processing apparatus is capable of receiving emergency alert signals and providing alert outputs to notify individuals of emergency events. According to one exemplary embodiment, the television signal processing apparatus includes a tuner (22) operative to tune a frequency including emergency alert signals indicating an emergency event. A processor (27) is operative to cause the television signal processing apparatus to be switched from an off/standby mode to an on mode responsive to the emergency alert signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Pugel, Clint Ecoff, Michael Bridge
  • Publication number: 20050162570
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and/or method provides frequency response adjustment of an RF input filter of an RF tuner based on impedance of an antenna system that is providing reception of RF signals to the RF tuner. The frequency response adjustment is preferably accomplished dynamically and/or with respect to each frequency tuned. Particularly, the system, method and/or apparatus provides compensation at the RF tuner level for mistuning effects produced on the RF tuner by antenna system impedance presented at the antenna input that is other than a designed for impedance. Frequency response of an RF input filter for the RF tuner is electronically adjustable with an independent or semi-independent control voltage signal based on one or more measured parameters of a tuning frequency. Frequency response adjustment may include adjustment of a center frequency of the RF input filter bandpass frequency range and/or altering the bandpass frequency range of the RF input filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Inventors: Edward Hall, Gary Grubbs, Michael Pugel, Max Muterspaugh
  • Publication number: 20040061633
    Abstract: A control arrangement and method includes a digital to analog converter and a mode controller that is operative to provide the digital to analog converter with a plurality of reference voltage ranges (Vref) under a respective plurality of operating modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Michael A. Pugel
  • Publication number: 20040063410
    Abstract: An electronic alignment system for a television signal tuner utilizes first and second controllers for generating respective first and second control signals for respective first and second signal processing circuits of a signal processing arrangement, with the first and second signal processing circuits having respective first and second tunable elements responsive to the respective first and second control signals. A deviation range of the first control signal is higher than a deviation range of the second control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Michael A. Pugel