Patents by Inventor William Reams

William Reams 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: 9344751
    Abstract: A method to coordinate redundant video processing in video streaming platforms is disclosed. In one embodiment, a request is received at a streaming platform coordinator (SPC) to create a redundant media workflow for a video source. The SPC transmits two requests to create the media workflow, one each to a first and a second video streaming platforms, each creating one instance of the media workflow. The SPC then receives requests to route the video source to a first and a second workers respectively and causes the video source to be routed so. The SPC then communicates with the first and the second workers so that only one worker out of the first and second workers publishes output of one instance of the media workflow to a CDN at a given moment. A system to perform the method and a storage medium storing instructions to perform the method are disclosed too.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: iStreamPlanet Co.
    Inventors: Robert William Ream, Mark Daniel VanAntwerp
  • Patent number: 9210356
    Abstract: A method for reconfiguring an entertainment system to restore audio/video content to a user is presented. In the method, a request to reconfigure the entertainment system is received at a first component of the entertainment system. In response to the request, an indication of a configuration command for a second component of the entertainment system is transmitted from the first component to a remote control device. In response to receiving the indication of the configuration command at the remote control device, the configuration command is transmitted from the remote control device to the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: William Reams, Benjamin Mauser
  • Patent number: 9094723
    Abstract: Systems and methods of issuing a reminder from a remote control are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, an exemplary embodiment has a remote control and a set top box (STB). In at least one embodiment, the remote control has a transmitter that transmits information corresponding to at least one reminder event with a reminder time, a reminder alert receiver that receives a reminder alert, and at least one of a sound emitter that issues audible reminder alerts, a vibration generator that issues vibration reminder alerts, and a light source that issues visible reminder alerts. In at least one embodiment, the STB has a receiver that receives the information corresponding to the reminder event from the remote control, a STB processing system that generates a reminder alert based upon the received reminder event, and a reminder alert transmitter that transmits the reminder alert to the remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: William Reams
  • Patent number: 9007928
    Abstract: A method of selectively employing acknowledgment in a communication system is presented herein. In one implementation of the method, at least one indication of a communication quality of a link coupling a first communication node and a second communication node is processed. After processing the indication, a message from the first communication node is transmitted over the link to the second communication node. The message includes an acknowledgment request if the processing of the indication signifies that the communication quality of the link is below a predetermined level. Oppositely, the message does not include an acknowledgment request if the processing of the indication signifies that the communication quality of the link at least attains the predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: William Reams
  • Patent number: 8941784
    Abstract: A television service provider system includes a first set top box, a second set top box, and a remote control. The remote control transmits an infrared pairing signal which is only received by one of the set top boxes. The receiving set top box pairs itself to the remote control. The non receiving set top box is not paired to the remote control. The remote control then transmits control signals to operate the receiving set top box. The control signals are received by both set top boxes, but are executed only by the set top box that is paired to the remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Echostar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nathan Hale, Adam Schafer, Jeremy Mickelsen, David Innes, William Reams
  • Publication number: 20130057778
    Abstract: A television service provider system includes a first set top box, a second set top box, and a remote control. The remote control transmits an infrared pairing signal which is only received by one of the set top boxes. The receiving set top box pairs itself to the remote control. The non receiving set top box is not paired to the remote control. The remote control then transmits control signals to operate the receiving set top box. The control signals are received by both set top boxes, but are executed only by the set top box that is paired to the remote control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nathan Hale, Adam Schafer, Jeremy Mickelsen, David Innes, William Reams
  • Patent number: 8344859
    Abstract: A method of changing an association of a remote control device from a first electronic device to a second electronic device is presented. In the method, a command for an electronic device is generated and transmitted by the remote control device. At this point, the remote control device is associated with the first electronic device to control the first electronic device, and the remote control device is not associated with the second electronic device. If an acknowledgment of the command is not received, a request to associate the remote control device with another electronic device is transmitted. A reply to the request is then received from the second electronic device. In response to the reply, the remote control device is disassociated from the first electronic device and associated with the second electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: William Reams, Nathan Alexander Hale, Jeremy Mickelsen, David A. Innes
  • Patent number: 8305277
    Abstract: A method of detecting and removing ice and/or snow on a communication antenna is presented. In the method, environmental data indicating at least one current environmental condition is received. An optical signal is transmitted from a signaling structure of the communication antenna toward a reflecting surface of the antenna. The optical signal is received at the signaling structure upon returning from the reflecting surface. The returning optical signal is then processed to determine at least one characteristic value of the returning optical signal. The reflecting surface is then heated if the environmental data indicates that ice or snow accumulation on the communication antenna is possible, and the at least one characteristic value of the returning optical signal is outside a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: William Reams
  • Publication number: 20120155299
    Abstract: A method of selectively employing acknowledgment in a communication system is presented herein. In one implementation of the method, at least one indication of a communication quality of a link coupling a first communication node and a second communication node is processed. After processing the indication, a message from the first communication node is transmitted over the link to the second communication node. The message includes an acknowledgment request if the processing of the indication signifies that the communication quality of the link is below a predetermined level. Oppositely, the message does not include an acknowledgment request if the processing of the indication signifies that the communication quality of the link at least attains the predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventor: William Reams
  • Patent number: 8134475
    Abstract: A remote control includes sensing circuitry operable to detect a user touching the remote control. The remote control further includes a light source operable to backlight user input circuitry of the remote control. Control logic of the remote control activates the light source responsive to the sensing circuitry detecting the user touching the remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: William Reams R.
  • Publication number: 20110273344
    Abstract: A method of detecting and removing ice and/or snow on a communication antenna is presented. In the method, environmental data indicating at least one current environmental condition is received. An optical signal is transmitted from a signaling structure of the communication antenna toward a reflecting surface of the antenna. The optical signal is received at the signaling structure upon returning from the reflecting surface. The returning optical signal is then processed to determine at least one characteristic value of the returning optical signal. The reflecting surface is then heated if the environmental data indicates that ice or snow accumulation on the communication antenna is possible, and the at least one characteristic value of the returning optical signal is outside a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventor: William Reams
  • Publication number: 20100328132
    Abstract: A method of changing an association of a remote control device from a first electronic device to a second electronic device is presented. In the method, a command for an electronic device is generated and transmitted by the remote control device. At this point, the remote control device is associated with the first electronic device to control the first electronic device, and the remote control device is not associated with the second electronic device. If an acknowledgment of the command is not received, a request to associate the remote control device with another electronic device is transmitted. A reply to the request is then received from the second electronic device. In response to the reply, the remote control device is disassociated from the first electronic device and associated with the second electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: William Reams, Nathan Alexander Hale, Jeremy Mickelsen, David A. Innes
  • Publication number: 20100154006
    Abstract: Systems and methods of issuing a reminder from a remote control are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, an exemplary embodiment has a remote control and a set top box (STB). In at least one embodiment, the remote control has a transmitter that transmits information corresponding to at least one reminder event with a reminder time, a reminder alert receiver that receives a reminder alert, and at least one of a sound emitter that issues audible reminder alerts, a vibration generator that issues vibration reminder alerts, and a light source that issues visible reminder alerts. In at least one embodiment, the STB has a receiver that receives the information corresponding to the reminder event from the remote control, a STB processing system that generates a reminder alert based upon the received reminder event, and a reminder alert transmitter that transmits the reminder alert to the remote control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: William Reams
  • Publication number: 20100146579
    Abstract: A method for reconfiguring an entertainment system to restore audio/video content to a user is presented. In the method, a request to reconfigure the entertainment system is received at a first component of the entertainment system. In response to the request, an indication of a configuration command for a second component of the entertainment system is transmitted from the first component to a remote control device. In response to receiving the indication of the configuration command at the remote control device, the configuration command is transmitted from the remote control device to the second component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: William Reams, Benjamin Mauser
  • Patent number: 5980194
    Abstract: A wafer position error detection and correction system determines the presence of a wafer on a wafer transport robot blade. The system also determines a wafer position error by monitoring the position of the wafer with respect to the blade with one sensor which is located proximate to each entrance of a process chamber. When a wafer position error is detected, the system determines the extent of the misalignment and corrects such misalignment if correctable by the wafer transport robot or alerts an operator for operator intervention. The system incorporates a transparent cover on the surface of the wafer handling chamber and four optical detection sensors disposed on the surface of the transparent cover, in which each sensor is placed proximate to the entrance of the process chamber. In addition, an I/O sensor is placed adjacent the I/O slit valve to detect and correct wafer position errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederik W. Freerks, Lloyd M. Berken, M. Uenia Crithfield, David Schott, Michael Rice, Michael Holtzman, William Reams, Richard Giljum, Lance Reinke, John S. Booth