Patents by Inventor Steven C. Rhoads

Steven C. Rhoads 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: 9874911
    Abstract: The present principle generally relate to resetting of an electronic device, and particularly, to resetting of an electronic device to factory default of settings if a reset button is pressed for more than a certain amount of time such as, e.g., ten seconds. The amount of time the reset button is pressed is monitored by a bootloader program after a reboot of the processor. The present principles allow the use of the same reset button for two different functions: a normal power off-on reset and a reset to the factory default. The present principles also allow the electronic device to be reset to the factory default even if the main software of the electronic device is locked up (i.e., non-functioning).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Steven C Rhoads, Marc David Ziems
  • Publication number: 20170168533
    Abstract: The present principle generally relate to resetting of an electronic device, and particularly, to resetting of an electronic device to factory default of settings if a reset button is pressed for more than a certain amount of time such as, e.g., ten seconds. The amount of time the reset button is pressed is monitored by a bootloader program after a reboot of the processor. The present principles allow the use of the same reset button for two different functions: a normal power off-on reset and a reset to the factory default. The present principles also allow the electronic device to be reset to the factory default even if the main software of the electronic device is locked up (i.e., non-functioning).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Steven C. RHOADS, Marc David ZIEMS
  • Patent number: 9374624
    Abstract: A user interface for a content distribution system is disclosed which allows a manager of an environment of TV sets to view which content is playing on individual TV sets, and to change, track and otherwise adjust the content. The invention advantageously provides these features without interfering with other TV sets' programming when another TV set is being adjusted, changes or tracked by the manager. The invention provides auto-tuning of program guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Darrel W Randall, Steven C. Rhoads
  • Patent number: 9319418
    Abstract: Files associated with the operation of gateway and client devices in a network may be downloaded with minimal operator intervention. Accordingly, a method includes receiving data including a first file, a first authentication element, and a second authentication element, the first authentication element being unique to a client device associated with the gateway device. The method also includes determining if the second authentication element is valid for the gateway device and storing the first authentication element and the second file for the client device if the second authentication element is valid for the gateway device. An apparatus includes a receiver that receives data, a processor that determines if the second authentication element is valid for the gateway device, and a memory that stores the first authentication element and a portion of the data for the client device if the second authentication element is valid for the gateway device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Keith R. Broerman, Aaron M. Smith, Steven C. Rhoads, Gary R. Gutknecht
  • Publication number: 20140157323
    Abstract: A user interface for a content distribution system is disclosed which allows a manager of an environment of TV sets to view which content is playing on individual TV sets, and to change, track and otherwise adjust the content. The invention advantageously provides these features without interfering with other TV sets' programming when another TV set is being adjusted, changes or tracked by the manager. The invention provides auto-tuning of program guides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Darrel W. RANDALL, Steven C. RHOADS
  • Publication number: 20100333174
    Abstract: Files associated with the operation of gateway and client devices in a network may be downloaded with minimal operator intervention. Accordingly, a method includes receiving data including a first file, a first authentication element, and a second authentication element, the first authentication element being unique to a client device associated with the gateway device. The method also includes determining if the second authentication element is valid for the gateway device and storing the first authentication element and the second file for the client device if the second authentication element is valid for the gateway device. An apparatus includes a receiver that receives data, a processor that determines if the second authentication element is valid for the gateway device, and a memory that stores the first authentication element and a portion of the data for the client device if the second authentication element is valid for the gateway device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Keith R. Broerman, Aaron M. Smith, Steven C. Rhoads, Gary R. Gutknecht