Patents by Inventor Robert Banker

Robert Banker 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: 20080046524
    Abstract: The present invention comprises customizable, multimedia messaging over a subscriber television system, such as a cable or satellite system, utilizing a service independent framework. The present invention comprises a multimedia messaging (MMM) server generally located at a headend of a cable or satellite system, and an MMM client at a communications terminal located remotely with respect to the MMM server. A service provider or operator defines a message configuration that is utilized to present the message content to one or more subscribers. The message configuration includes parameters that control the presentation of the message content. The MMM server receives an MMM request from a service application, and in response thereto, generates an MMM request which is sent to the communications terminal, and more particularly, to the MMM client. The MMM client processes the MMM request, including the retrieval of any message content or the message configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA, INC.
    Inventors: Dean Jerding, Robert Banker, Azita Manson, Timothy Addington, Arturo Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20080040745
    Abstract: A television menu system generates a television menu that is context sensitive based upon a service currently being provided to a user. In one implementation, a type of television service currently being viewed by a user determines whether particular menu items are presented to the user. In another implementations, determining which channel is being provided dictates whether particular menu options are included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: SCIENTIFIC-ATLANTA, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Banker, John Schlarb
  • Publication number: 20070234434
    Abstract: A reprogrammable subscriber terminal of a subscription television service which can have the control program code of its control processor modified by downloading new program code from the headend. The control processor stores a boot program in an internal read only memory. Upon start up and resets, the boot program determines whether the control program should be changed from a command sent from the headend. The command, termed a parameters transactions, includes the number of expected download program code transactions required to complete the control code modification, the memory space areas where the code is to be loaded, and the channel over which the download program code transactions are to be transmitted. The channel is tuned and when the boot program receives all the download program code transactions accurately and stores them, the boot program will cause the control program to be restarted at a selected address of the new or modified control program code which has been downloaded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Kinney Bacon, R. Haman, David Lett, Robert Banker, Michael Harney
  • Publication number: 20070226767
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing a time-shift buffer (TSB) that is used for buffering video presentations. One such method includes receiving user input identifying a storage capacity for the TSB and modifying a storage capacity of the TSB such that it is at least substantially equal to the storage capacity identified by the user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Dariusz Kaminski, Arturo Rodriguez, Robert Banker, Valerie Gutknecht
  • Publication number: 20070136748
    Abstract: Video presenting systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, among others, a method comprises presenting a video presentation and enabling a viewer to select an option to receive a plurality of sequential data supplements. The sequential data supplements correspond to on-screen comments of the video presentation. In addition, the sequential data supplements have a plurality of respective time intervals corresponding to respective portions of the video presentation. The method further comprises receiving a first input from the viewer regarding selection of the option to receive the plurality of sequential data supplements. Responsive to receiving the first input corresponding to selecting the option to receive the plurality of sequential data supplements, the method includes providing the plurality of sequential data supplements at the plurality of respective times corresponding to respective portions of the video presentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Inventors: Arturo Rodriguez, Dean Jerding, Robert Banker
  • Publication number: 20070006273
    Abstract: A method for providing television functionality includes defining a time period, associating a user preference with the time period, providing a first result in accordance with the user preference if a request for television functionality is received during the defined time period, and providing a second result if the request for the television functionality is received outside the defined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: SCIENTIFIC-ATLANTA, INC.
    Inventors: Arturo Rodriguez, Geoffrey Hammett, Robert Banker, John West
  • Publication number: 20060271973
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for an interactive media services system to provide a plurality of promotional media to a user through an interactive media services client device coupled to a programmable media services server device. The method includes the step of implementing an interactive media guide and implementing the client device to present the interactive media guide to said user. A system operator of the programmable media services server device is provided with an interface to the programmable media services server that includes control options within the interface to allow said system operator to command which of the plurality of promotional media is displayed in specific areas of said interactive media guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Dean Jerding, Robert Banker, Arturo Rodriguez, Valerie Gutknecht, Shashi Goel
  • Publication number: 20060206913
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for an interactive media services system to provide media to a user through an interactive media services client device. The client device is coupled to a programmable media services server device. The method includes the step of implementing an interactive media guide. Additionally, the client device is implemented to present the interactive media guide to the user. A system operator is provided an interface to the programmable media services server. Control options are provided within the interface to allow the system operator to configure a plurality of rental options available to the user. Finally the interactive media service system is implemented such that the plurality of rental options can be executed by the user in a requested active media session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: DEAN JERDING, ROBERT BANKER, SASHI GOEL, ARTURO RODRIGUEZ, TIMOTHY ADDINGTON, VALERIE GUTKNECHT, BINDU CRANDALL, ROBERT VAN ORDEN
  • Publication number: 20060112434
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for an interactive media services system to provide media to a user through an interactive media services client device. The client device is coupled to a programmable media services server device. The method includes the step of implementing an interactive media guide. Additionally, the client device is implemented to present the interactive media guide to the user. A system operator is provided an interface to the programmable media services server. Control options are provided within the interface to allow the system operator to configure a plurality of rental options available to the user. Finally the interactive media service system is implemented such that the plurality of rental options can be executed by the user in a requested active media session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Publication date: May 25, 2006
    Inventors: ROBERT BANKER, SASHI GOEL, DEAN JERDING, ARTURO RODRIGUEZ, TIMOTHY ADDINGTON, VALERIE GUTNECHT, BINDU CRANDALL, ROBERT VAN ORDEN
  • Publication number: 20060059525
    Abstract: The invention may be viewed as a method for providing a user with information received by an interactive media services client device from a programmable media services server device. The method includes storing visual setting data in memory so that a plurality of applications can use the visual setting data to determine the appearance of items presented to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventors: Dean Jerding, Arturo Rodriguez, Robert Banker
  • Publication number: 20060026080
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a media service system provides at least one transaction configuration option that is enabled to be selected by a user. The media service system implements a transaction process in response to a user selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Inventors: Arturo Rodriguez, Robert Banker, John West
  • Publication number: 20060026665
    Abstract: The invention can be viewed as a system for providing media information to a user via an interactive media services client device coupled to a programmable television services server device. A method of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes receiving user input and excluding one or more media titles from a media title list based on the user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Inventors: Arturo Rodriguez, Robert Banker
  • Publication number: 20060020982
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for an interactive media services system to provide media to a user through an interactive media services client device. The client device is coupled to a programmable media services server device. The method includes the step of implementing an interactive media guide. Additionally, the client device is implemented to present the interactive media guide to the user. A system operator is provided an interface to the programmable media services server. Control options are provided within the interface to allow the system operator to configure a plurality of rental options available to the user. Finally the interactive media service system is implemented such that the plurality of rental options can be executed by the user in a requested active media session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventors: Dean Jerding, Robert Banker, Sashi Goel, Arturo Rodriguez, Timothy Addington, Valerie Gutknecht, Bindu Crandall, Robert Van Orden
  • Publication number: 20050240961
    Abstract: Included is a method for an interactive media services system to provide a screen saver utility to a user through an interactive media services client device. The client device may be coupled to a programmable media services server device. The method may include the steps of providing a system operator with an interface to the programmable media services server; and providing control options within the interface to allow the system operator to dictate media to be presented in the screen saver utility, a plurality of parameters that result in activation of the screen saver utility, and a procedure to be followed in exiting the screen saver utility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Inventors: Dean Jerding, Robert Banker, Arturo Rodriguez, Valerie Gutknecht, Shashi Goel
  • Publication number: 20050160468
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the characteristics of a device coupled to a client device are disclosed. A method, according to one embodiment, includes driving a display device with a first video output signal formatted according to a first video interface specification; responsive to driving the display device, soliciting user input based on information included in the first video output signal; determining a characteristic of the display device based on the user input; and driving the display device according to the determined characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventors: Arturo Rodriguez, Robert Banker, Darryl Delacruz, David Lett, Ajith Nair, James Kiker
  • Publication number: 20050076360
    Abstract: A method and system that allows a user to, with a single button press on a remote control, quickly navigate within a program guide to an established reference point, such as the program information associated with the last viewed channel and the current time. The establishment of a reference point provides a subscriber with a known position within program information that may cover weeks of time, thousands of channels, and a variety of categories or sorting methods. The subscriber that has advanced through many hours and channels of program information is provided with a method of easily navigating to a known reference within the program information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Inventors: Dean Jerding, Robert Banker, Gregory Durden, Arturo Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20050044566
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for accessing services in a television system. In one implementation, a DHCT presents a user a menu containing a plurality of selectable link representations corresponding to separate services or applications offered by the cable television system. The user navigates the menu with a remote device and selects a desired service by choosing the selectable link representation corresponding to the desired service or application. The DHCT receives the user input, translates the selectable link command into an executable call, and activates the service or application corresponding to the selected link representation from the menu chosen by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Dean Jerding, Arturo Rodriguez, Robert Banker, John Schlarb, Robert Van Orden, Bindu Crandall
  • Publication number: 20050044577
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for accessing services in a television system. In one implementation, a DHCT presents a user a menu containing a plurality of selectable link representations corresponding to separate services or applications offered by the cable television system. The user navigates the menu with a remote device and selects a desired service by choosing the selectable link representation corresponding to the desired service or application. The DHCT receives the user input, translates the selectable link command into an executable call, and activates the service or application corresponding to the selected link representation from the menu chosen by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Dean Jerding, Arturo Rodriguez, Robert Banker, John Schlarb, Robert Van Orden, Bindu Crandall
  • Publication number: 20050044565
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for accessing services in a television system. In one implementation, a DHCT presents a user a menu containing a plurality of selectable link representations corresponding to separate services or applications offered by the cable television system. The user navigates the menu with a remote device and selects a desired service by choosing the selectable link representation corresponding to the desired service or application. The DHCT receives the user input, translates the selectable link command into an executable call, and activates the service or application corresponding to the selected link representation from the menu chosen by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Dean Jerding, Arturo Rodriguez, Robert Banker, John Schlarb, Robert Van Orden, Bindu Crandall