Patents Issued in February 21, 2017
  • Patent number: 9578328
    Abstract: In an example, a method of coding video data includes determining a location of a reference sample associated with a reference picture of video data based on one or more scaled offset values, where the reference picture is included in a first layer of a multi-layer bitstream and the one or more scaled offset values indicate a difference in scale between the first layer and a second, different layer. The method also includes determining a location of a collocated reference block of video data in the first layer based on the location of the reference sample, and coding a current block of video data in the second layer relative to the collocated reference block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Krishnakanth Rapaka, Ye-Kui Wang, Adarsh Krishnan Ramasubramonian
  • Patent number: 9578329
    Abstract: An intra prediction method includes searching for a neighboring block restored prior to a current block from among blocks of an image; checking whether the neighboring block found by the searching is a block restored in an intra mode and whether an intra mode of the current block is also a Combined Intra Prediction (CIP) mode in which only blocks pre-restored in the intra mode are referred to; determining based on a checking result of the checking whether the found neighboring block is a reference block available for intra prediction of the current block; and performing intra prediction on the current block by using sample values of the reference block determined as available for the intra prediction of the current block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hee-chul Yang, Young-jin Kwak, Kwang-pyo Choi
  • Patent number: 9578330
    Abstract: Disclosed is a video encoding apparatus includes: an intra prediction unit to generate a prediction block by using adjacent pixels of a current block to be encoded; an inter prediction unit to (1) generate index information of a predictive motion vector of the current block based on motion vectors of blocks adjacent to the current block and a motion vector of a co-located block of a reference frame, (2) generate motion information of the current block including predictive motion vector index and reference frame index together with a differential motion vector obtained by subtracting the predictive motion vector from a motion vector of the current block, and (3) generate a prediction block based on the generated motion information; and an encoding unit configured to encode a residual block by using a subtraction unit and a transform and quantization unit to thereby generate a bitstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SK TELECOM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jinhan Song, Jeongyeon Lim, Haekwang Kim, Joohee Moon, Yunglyul Lee, Jongki Han, Byeungwoo Jeon
  • Patent number: 9578331
    Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for transforming residual blocks of video data. In particular, a plurality of different transforms selectively applied to the residual blocks based on the prediction mode of the video blocks. At least a portion of the plurality of transforms are separable directional transform specifically trained for a corresponding prediction mode to provide better energy compaction for the residual blocks of the given prediction mode. Using separable directional transforms offers the benefits of lower computation complexity and storage requirement than use of non-separable directional transforms. Additionally, a scan order used to scan the coefficients of the residual block may be adjusted when applying separable directional transforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Yan Ye, Marta Karczewicz
  • Patent number: 9578332
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding and decoding a video are provided. The method of encoding the video includes: determining whether a unidirectional motion estimation mode and a bidirectional motion estimation mode are to be used based on a size of a current prediction unit to be encoded, performing the motion estimation and the motion compensation on the current prediction unit according to the determining of whether the unidirectional motion estimation mode and the bidirectional motion estimation mode are to be used, determining an optimum motion estimation mode of the current prediction unit based on an encoding cost of the current prediction unit obtained through the performing of the motion estimation and the motion compensation, and encoding information indicating the determined optimum motion estimation mode based on the size of the current prediction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Elena Alshina, Jianle Chen, Woo-jin Han
  • Patent number: 9578333
    Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure is directed to transmitting a reduced stream of encoded video frames. An original stream of encoded video frames is analyzed, a plurality of frames are removed without re-encoding encoded video frames to generate the reduced stream of encoded video frames, and the reduced stream and metadata describing the plurality of removed frames are transmitted. An aspect of the disclosure is directed to creating a new version of an original stream of encoded video frames from a reduced stream of encoded video frames. The reduced stream of encoded video frames is received, the plurality of removed frames is identified based on metadata related to the reduced stream, a plurality of replacement frames are generated, and the plurality of replacement frames are added to the reduced stream of encoded video frames to recreate the new version of the original stream of encoded video frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Isaac David Guedalia, Sarah Harris
  • Patent number: 9578334
    Abstract: In a video processing system, a method and system for generating a transform size syntax element for video decoding are provided. For high profile mode video decoding operations, the transform sizes may be selected based on the prediction macroblock type and the contents of the macroblock. A set of rules may be utilized to select from a 4.×.4 or an 8.×.8 transform size during the encoding operation. Dynamic selection of transform size may be performed on intra-predicted macroblocks, inter-predicted macroblocks, and/or direct mode inter-predicted macroblocks. The encoding operation may generate a transform size syntax element to indicate the transform size that may be used in reconstructing the encoded macroblock. The transform size syntax element may be transmitted to a decoder as part of the encoded video information bit stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Gordon, Douglas Chin
  • Patent number: 9578335
    Abstract: A method of processing image data includes generating image data including luminance and chrominance data representing a selected object, separating the luminance and chrominance data, storing the separated luminance and chrominance data in corresponding separate spaces in memory, and separately compressing the stored luminance and chrominance data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Trellis Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Emanuele Salvucci
  • Patent number: 9578336
    Abstract: A computing device (300) includes a storage (325) that over time is operable to include video and graphics content and the storage has a first set of instructions representing lossy video compression (130) and a second set of instructions representing lossless compression (120); and a processor (320) coupled with said storage (325), and said processor (320) operable to electronically analyze (110) at least a portion of the content for motion based on magnitudes of motion vectors and, on detection of a significant amount of motion, further operable to activate the first set of instructions (130) to compress at least the motion video, and otherwise to activate the second set of instructions representing lossless compression (120) to compress at least the graphics. Other devices, systems, and processes are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Thanh Thien Tran, Jonathan Edward Hunter, Sriram Narayanan, Jian Wang
  • Patent number: 9578337
    Abstract: To estimate an image quality deterioration level at a high accuracy. An image quality deterioration level is estimated by judging whether image quality deterioration is suppressed or not by error concealment processing when decoding is not correctly performed, based on information obtained in decoding processing. When it is judged that error concealment is effectively operated, it is estimated that deterioration of an image quality even in an image region not correctly decoded is small. When it is estimated that error concealment is not effectively operated, it is estimated that image deterioration is heavy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toru Yamada
  • Patent number: 9578338
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for encoding and decoding video. A video decoding method comprises reconstructing a residual value by entropy-decoding received bitstream and dequantizing and inverse-transforming residual value information, generating a final prediction unit by performing inter prediction on a prediction unit which is partitioned from a coding unit into at least two prediction units by asymmetric motion partitioning (AMP), the two partitioned prediction units comprising a first partitioned prediction unit and a second partitioned prediction unit, and reconstructing a picture by adding the final prediction unit to the residual values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: KT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bae Keun Lee, Jae Cheol Kwon, Joo Young Kim
  • Patent number: 9578339
    Abstract: In one example, a device for coding video data includes a video coder configured to code a value for a syntax element representative of whether any two reference layer samples, collocated with two respective enhancement layer picture samples within a common enhancement layer tile, must be within a common reference layer tile, and code the enhancement layer picture samples based at least in part on the value of the syntax element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Krishnakanth Rapaka, Xiang Li, Jianle Chen, Ye-Kui Wang, Wei Pu
  • Patent number: 9578340
    Abstract: If the picture identifier of a first frame and the picture identifier of a second frame match, a rewriting unit rewrites the picture identifier and the slice type of the first frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiichi Tanaka, Yoshinori Hayashi, Koji Okawa
  • Patent number: 9578341
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for improving compressed image chroma information. In one aspect of the invention, a resolution for a red color component of a color video image is used that is higher than the resolution for a blue color component of the color video image. Another aspect includes utilizing a lower or higher value of a quantization parameter (QP) for one or more chroma channels as compared to the luminance channel. Another aspect is use of a logarithmic representation of a video image to benefit image coding. Another aspect uses more than two chroma channels to represent a video image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Gary A. Demos
  • Patent number: 9578342
    Abstract: Systems and methods of performing rate control in scalable video encoders that can be used to provide videoconferencing, announcements, and live video streaming to multiple participant devices having diverse bandwidths, resolutions, and/or other device characteristics. The systems and methods can accommodate different target bit rates of the multiple participant devices by operating on scalable video bitstreams in a multi-layer video format, including a base layer having one or more reference video frames, and an enhancement layer having one or more disposable non-reference, predictive video frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Dialogic Corporation
    Inventors: Kyeong Ho Yang, Sangseok Park
  • Patent number: 9578343
    Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable media are introduced that relate to data coding and decoding. A computing device encodes received data such as video data into a base layer of compressed video and an enhancement layer of compressed video. The computing device controls drift introduced into the base layer of the compressed video. The computing device, such as a scalable video coder, allows drift bay predicting the base layer from the enhancement layer information. The amount of drift is managed to improve overall compression efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Amy Ruth Reibman, Leon Bottou, Andrea Basso
  • Patent number: 9578344
    Abstract: An image capturing system includes a photoelectric conversion unit, a charge holding unit, a multiple sampling information setting unit, a multiple sampling unit, a conversion unit, and an image reconstruction unit. The photoelectric conversion unit converts optical signals received by a plurality of pixels to electric signals. The charge holding unit stores the electric signals and holds the electric signals as charge signals. The multiple sampling information setting unit sets multiple sampling information used for a multiple sampling process. The multiple sampling information includes first multiple sampling information and second multiple sampling information. The multiple sampling unit performs the multiple sampling process using the multiple sampling information and the charge signals so as to output signals. The conversion unit converts the output signals to digital signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Sato, Takeo Azuma, Jun Ozawa
  • Patent number: 9578345
    Abstract: A model-based compression codec applies higher-level modeling to produce better predictions than can be found through conventional block-based motion estimation and compensation. Computer-vision-based feature and object detection algorithms identify regions of interest throughout the video datacube. The detected features and objects are modeled with a compact set of parameters, and similar feature/object instances are associated across frames. Associated features/objects are formed into tracks and related to specific blocks of video data to be encoded. The tracking information is used to produce model-based predictions for those blocks of data, enabling more efficient navigation of the prediction search space than is typically achievable through conventional motion estimation methods. A hybrid framework enables modeling of data at multiple fidelities and selects the appropriate level of modeling for each portion of video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Euclid Discoveries, LLC
    Inventors: Darin DeForest, Charles P. Pace, Nigel Lee, Renato Pizzorni
  • Patent number: 9578346
    Abstract: An image coding method includes: writing, into a coded bitstream, buffer description defining information for defining a buffer description; constructing a default reference list; reorder pictures included in the default reference list; writing, into the coded bitstream, reference list reordering information for indicating details of the reordering; and coding an image using the buffer description and a reference list resulting from the reordering, and in the reference list reordering information, among the pictures, a picture to be reordered is specified using an index which is used in other processing in the image coding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SUN PATENT TRUST
    Inventors: Viktor Wahadaniah, Chong Soon Lim, Sue Mon Thet Naing, Hai Wei Sun, Takahiro Nishi, Hisao Sasai, Youji Shibahara, Toshiyasu Sugio, Kyoko Tanikawa, Toru Matsunobu, Kengo Terada
  • Patent number: 9578347
    Abstract: Methods and devices for reconstructing coefficient levels from a bitstream of encoded video data for a coefficient group in a transform unit. Sign bits are hidden in the parity of partially overlapping subsets of a set of coefficients. This enables the hiding of multiple sign bits per coefficient group. Other information bits may be hidden instead of sign bits in some cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Dake He, Jing Wang, Xiang Yu
  • Patent number: 9578348
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inducing a merge candidate block and a device using same. An image decoding method involves decoding motion estimation region (MER) related information; determining whether or not a predicted target block and a spatial merge candidate block are included in the same MER; and determining the spatial merge candidate block to be an unavailable merge candidate block when the predicted target block and the spatial merge candidate block are included in the same MER. Accordingly, by parallely performing the method for inducing a merge candidate, parallel processing is enabled and the computation amount and implementation complexity are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: KT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bae Keun Lee, Jae Cheol Kwon, Joo Young Kim
  • Patent number: 9578349
    Abstract: Provided is an image decoding apparatus that receives an intra prediction mode and one-dimensional (1D) quantized coefficients, restores a quantized transform block by inversely scanning the 1D quantized coefficients, inversely quantizes the quantized transform block using a quantization step size to generate a transform block, inversely transforms the transform block to generate a residual block, and generates a prediction block according to the intra prediction mode. When a size of the transform block is 8×8, the quantized transform block is divided into a plurality of sub-blocks, and the plurality of sub-blocks and coefficients of each sub-block are scanned using a same scan pattern determined according to the intra prediction mode. When the intra prediction mode is a horizontal mode, the scan pattern is a vertical scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: M&K HOLDINGS INC.
    Inventors: Soo Mi Oh, Moonock Yang
  • Patent number: 9578350
    Abstract: A venue display system has a server that communicates with a box and includes a processor. A content server is part of a screen management system (SMS). A venue display management system, a digital projector, and a storage device are provided. The system provides a timeline of media content to be triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Highlands Technologies Solutions
    Inventor: Patrick Zucchetta
  • Patent number: 9578351
    Abstract: A method and system for generating visualizations for display synchronized with related video content are provided. The system includes memory comprising geocoded data and a communications interface to transmit video content to a display device. A visualization circuitry in communication with the communications interface is configured to receive a video signal, develop secondary data to be displayed according to the received video signal, select a subset of the geocoded data according to the video signal, and generate a user interface for the display device to display the secondary data, a physical representation of the selected geocoded data and the video content together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited
    Inventors: Joseph Bynoe, Kelvin Michael
  • Patent number: 9578352
    Abstract: A content delivery resource in a cable network receives a request for specified content. The content delivery resource retrieves profile information assigned to the subscriber domain. The profile information indicates multiple different playback formats assigned to the subscriber domain. To service the request, the content delivery resource utilizes the profile information associated with the subscriber domain to select versions of the specified content encoded in accordance with the multiple different playback formats. The content delivery resource then initiates transmission of the versions of the specified content in the multiple different playback formats to the subscriber domain for playback on multiple types of playback devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: James S. Manchester, Michael Angus, Wilfred Jaime Miles
  • Patent number: 9578353
    Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a technique is implemented to effectively receive streaming multimedia content in digital form, parse and segment the received transport stream and process the segmented content. Such treatment of received programming content provides for efficient storage of such programming content, and effectively provides for access to such content by administrators of a broadband system as well as users of such systems. In accordance with the invention, a technique enables, among other things: the creation of reference frames for, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: John B. Carlucci, Louis D. Williamson, Jon C. Honhart
  • Patent number: 9578354
    Abstract: A method and system for decoupling slicing and encoding of media content is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Brueck, C. Ryan Owen, Tyler Bye, Nathan J. Edwards, Ken Brueck
  • Patent number: 9578355
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assigning bandwidth to a network based on two or more different service levels. In an exemplary embodiment, video on-demand (VOD) session requests within a service group of an HFC cable network are assigned bandwidth such that maximum opportunity is given to grant HD VOD request among SD VOD requests, while meeting the goal of minimizing service disruption by spreading the sessions over multiple QAM channels, and limiting the maximum number of active VOD sessions of any kind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventor: Glen Hardin
  • Patent number: 9578356
    Abstract: A live video matching system provides a matching service between a video demander and a video provider. An orchestration module of the system dynamically adjusts live services provided by SDN edge devices according to network available resources. An SDN edge device of the system dynamically converts and integrates multiple video streams to generate a virtual channel based on results of matching within multiple requests for videos and provides live video channels for interested users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignees: NANNING FUGUI PRECISION INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Neng Lin, Kuan-Hung Lin, Chi-Feng Lee
  • Patent number: 9578357
    Abstract: A data analyzer engine receives content consumption feedback associated with multiple subscribers in a cable network environment. In accordance with one embodiment, the data analyzer engine provides notification of popularly consumed content. In accordance with another embodiment, the data analyzer engine generates control information to control content consumption by one or more devices in the cable network environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Ethan Wolf, Craig Vanderborgh
  • Patent number: 9578358
    Abstract: A process identifies a search query spike from queries submitted by users during a first span of time, which is less than a predefined duration. The spike corresponds to a set of queries identified as equivalent. The frequency of submitting queries from the set during the first time span exceeds the frequency of submitting queries from the set during an average span of time. The process correlates the spike to a broadcast video program by matching terms from the set of search queries to subtitle terms appearing in the video program at a first location. The first location in the video program was broadcast within a predefined time before the first span of time. The process receives notification from a user device indicating user interest in the video program. The process transmits to the user device search results corresponding to some search queries from the set of search queries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Zbigniew Skolicki, Yaroslav Volovich, Ant Oztaskent, Varun Rajgarhia
  • Patent number: 9578359
    Abstract: There is disclosed apparatuses and methods for a localized process system. The apparatuses and methods include a server for authenticating a user login for a localized process system; presenting a user with a project, comprising an asset, wherein the project is a movie, and wherein the asset is created for an original geographical territory; presenting a user with a display to order a localized version of the asset, wherein the localized version of the asset is a version of the asset that is customized for a second geographical territory that is different than the original geographical territory; receiving user input to create subtitles for the localized version of the asset, wherein the user selects himself to enter the subtitles; presenting the user with a display of a timed-text script that displays a time of the asset, and the dialog of the asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Pixwell Platform, LLC
    Inventors: Nathan Abele, James Tosi, Philip Zlotorynski, Jeffrey Loiselle
  • Patent number: 9578360
    Abstract: An information presentation device for presenting information to a user is described, which is arranged to receive information transmissions from a remote information source, and comprises: an information transmission receiver for receiving information transmissions, an information extractor for extracting presentation information to be presented, from an information transmission, an information presenter for presenting the extracted presentation information, wherein a monitor is arranged to monitor the operation of one or more of the information extractor and the information presenter, determine whether the operation of one or more of the information extractor and the information presenter fulfills one or more predetermined conditions, and generate an operation condition signal destined for the remote information source, said operation condition signal conveying an indication of the fulfillment or non-fulfillment of said one or more conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Thomas Weidenfeller
  • Patent number: 9578361
    Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to estimate local market audiences of media are disclosed herein. Disclosed example methods include accessing set-top box return path tuning data obtained from a plurality of set-top boxes located in a first geographic area. Disclosed example methods also include determining a ratio of (1) a first audience metric determined from audience measurement data associated with a second geographic area different from the first geographic area to (2) a second audience metric determined from a portion of the audience measurement data identified to be associated with monitored sites in the second geographic area having second set-top box characteristics that correspond with first set-top box characteristics of the set-top boxes located in the first geographic area. Disclosed example methods further include processing the set-top box return path tuning data based on the ratio to determine an audience exposure metric in the first geographic area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventor: Peter Campbell Doe
  • Patent number: 9578362
    Abstract: A method includes determining, at a server, channel change (cc) bias factors associated with a time slot. The method includes sending a request for cc server data to a network device. The request includes the time slot and data corresponding to the cc bias factors. The method includes receiving the cc server data, where the cc server data identifies a set of times during the time slot and an estimated number of active cc servers of a plurality of cc servers for each time of set of times. The method also includes, before a particular time indicated in the set of times and in response to a current number of active cc servers being different than the estimated number of active cc servers for the particular time, adjusting a number of active cc servers of the plurality of cc servers to the estimated number of active cc servers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Quan Li, Gregory Cooke
  • Patent number: 9578363
    Abstract: Techniques are described to provide content access. In an implementation, a determination is made at a client that a high-definition channel has content that matches content provided by a standard-definition channel. Access is provided to the content via the high-definition channel and access is restricted to the content via the standard-definition channel up the client is capable of outputting the content and high definition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Rovi Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Potrebic, Prashant K. Jha, Mark B. Tozer
  • Patent number: 9578364
    Abstract: An Internet Protocol television (IPTV) server includes: a subscriber file managing module configured to store a subscriber file of a recorded program, where the subscriber file of the recorded program includes advertisement information in the recorded program; a controlling module configured to obtain a playback request of the recorded program or an advertisement playback policy request of the recorded program, obtain the advertisement information in the recorded program from the subscriber file managing module according to the playback request or the advertisement playback policy request, obtain an advertisement playback policy from an advertisement managing module according to the advertisement information, and send the advertisement playback policy to the subscriber terminal; and the advertisement managing module configured to determine the advertisement playback policy of the recorded program according to the advertisement information sent by the controlling module and a preset policy, and send the advert
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Huawei Device Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaoqiang Lv, Lei Wang, Wenmei Gao, Shunan Fan, Yahui Wang
  • Patent number: 9578365
    Abstract: A video sharing method for automatic video recording and for sharing recorded videos, comprising: registering specialized equipment and users; accepting and storing video files and music files; building searchable databases of uploaded video and music files; accepting user requests; selecting a music file; playing video files accompanied with the selected music file; and soliciting and accepting user feedback. A system plays video files at a user's request accompanied with music clips if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: H4 Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher T. Boyle, Scott K. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9578366
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes launching an application on a first device. The application allows the first device to trigger a service based on a program being played on a second device. The first device captures a visual code being displayed in association with the program being played on the second device. The visual code includes encoded information for program ID information associated with the program being played on the second device and timing information associated with the program being played on the second device. The method determines the program ID information and the timing information from the encoded information included in the visual code and then triggers the service for the application using the timing information and the program ID information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Baum, Stephen P. Emeott, Faisal Ishtiaq
  • Patent number: 9578367
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate the provisioning of data and video services to client devices using communication standards and/or protocols that are not compatible with corresponding CPE device(s). An IPTV adapter can be embedded in a CPE device, can be connected to a CPE device, or can be a stand-alone device, and the tuning adapter can translate/reformat communications between client devices and an upstream component and/or content server. The IPTV adapter can support various communication standards and protocols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Carol J. Ansley
  • Patent number: 9578368
    Abstract: A data processing apparatus supporting simultaneous playback includes a processor, two tuners, a receiving element and a transmitting element. The first tuner generates first television data transmitted via a first frequency range, and provides the first television data to an internal playback device. The second tuner generates second television data transmitted via a second frequency range. The receiving element receives a data request for a selected television channel from an external electronic device. In response to the data request, the processor controls the second tuner to generate the second television data including video/audio data of the selected television channel. When the internal playback device performs playback according to the first television data, the transmitting element transmits the video/audio data of the selected television channel to the external electronic device for playback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: MSTAR SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventor: Wen-Jung Liao
  • Patent number: 9578369
    Abstract: A portable terminal includes a receiving unit which receives content information, an external device communication unit which conducts communication with an external information device, a display unit which displays the content information received by the receiving unit, an acquiring unit which acquires identification information identifying the content information displayed by the display unit, an operation unit which receives an operation indication from a user, and a control unit which conducts control such that if a transmission indication of the identification information is received by the operation unit while the content information is being displayed, the identification information acquired by the acquiring unit is transmitted to the external information device and the display of the content information by the display unit is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Matsubara, Mayumi Nakade, Masahiro Yamazaki, Hiroyuki Higaki
  • Patent number: 9578370
    Abstract: Systems for, and methods of, displaying video information comprising: a second screen device obtaining current play position data of a video being played on a primary screen device (e.g., obtaining from the primary screen device an identification of a current play position of the video, or obtaining information to generate an acoustic fingerprint of the video); determining a current play position of the video playing on the primary screen device based upon the current play position data (e.g., identification of the current play position or the acoustic fingerprint); downloading information (e.g., video map, subtitles, moral principles, objectionable content, memorable content, performers, geographical maps, shopping, plot point, item, ratings, and trivia information) over a computer communications network into the memory of the second screen device; and displaying information on the second screen device synchronized with the contemporaneously played video on the primary screen device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventors: Max Abecassis, Ryan M. Donahue
  • Patent number: 9578371
    Abstract: A network addressable appliance with digital multimedia recording capabilities has limited access including playback of stored multimedia content upon faulty connection with a service provider network. Upon a connectivity event, the network addressable appliance compares a retrieved hardware address for a connected residential gateway to a stored hardware address for an assigned residential gateway. If the two hardware addresses correspond, the network addressable appliance provides playback to stored multimedia content. The system helps prevent violations of digital rights management rules by restricting access to stored multimedia content while the network addressable appliance is connected to an unauthorized residential gateway. The system provides a user with limited access (i.e. playback) to multimedia content during service provider network outages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven M. Wollmershauser, Jason B. Sprague, William O. Sprague, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9578372
    Abstract: In one implementation, a network device receives a series of video frames spanning a series time period from a network. The time period may be static of a specific duration or identified dynamically based on the timing of the video frames. The network device decodes the series of video frames and stores the decoded series of data frames in memory along with associated timestamps. A pause phenomenon in excess of expected delay is identified between two of the decoded video frames. The network device forwards or displays the series of decoded frames such that each successive pair of frames in the series of decoded frames are spaced by a resultant delay period that is less than a duration of the pause phenomenon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Guang Xu, Bin Zhu, Ling Zhang, Ling Zhu, Yongze Xu
  • Patent number: 9578373
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are provided for measuring the performance of display images received on a remote computer display. One method includes an operation for detecting calls from an application to an application programming interface (API), which is provided for rendering images on a display image, each call causing an update of the display image. Further, the method includes an operation for embedding data for measuring performance in display frames of the display image based on the detecting. The embedding results in modified displayed frames with respective data for measuring performance. The modified displayed frames are transmitted to a remote client, which results in received modified display frames having respective received data for measuring the performance. In addition, the method includes an operation for calculating the remote display quality for the given application based on the received modified display frames and the respective received data for measuring performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: VMware, Inc.
    Inventors: Banit Agrawal, Rishi Bidarkar, Uday Kurkure, Tariq Magdon-Ismail, Hari Sivaraman, Lawrence Andrew Spracklen
  • Patent number: 9578374
    Abstract: A system is provided for the provision of DVR playlists. DVR playlists allow for consumers to manage the availability, arrangement, and type of content to be provided from a DVR such that content items are intelligently added, arranged, played back, and deleted via the DVR playlist. Aspects of the system allow playlists to be created by the system, by the consumer, and in co-operation between the system and the consumer. Content items may also be provisioned, such that a DVR playlist limits playback, while still providing variety and consumer choice. Aspects of the system allow for various seed attributes to affect which content items are automatically chosen to comprise the DVR playlist. Content items may be shared amongst user accounts under a subscriber account so that space on a DVR is more efficiently provisioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: COX COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Clark Whitten, Malcolm Eruteya
  • Patent number: 9578375
    Abstract: A multimedia server receives a plurality of programs of a multimedia source. The multimedia server includes a tuning module to receive the plurality of programs and to select a set of programs from the plurality of programs based on a set of program select commands that is derived from select requests. A program mixer mixes the set of programs into a stream of program data. One or more transceiving modules transmit the stream of program data on to corresponding communication paths and receive the select requests. A client module produces the select requests for one or more clients. The client module includes a selection module to produce at least one of the select requests. A network interface controller transmits at least one of select requests to the multimedia server and receives the stream of program data via the communication path or paths in response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: VIXS SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Indra Laksono
  • Patent number: 9578376
    Abstract: A video-on-demand (VOD) content delivery system has a VOD Application Server which manages a database of templates for presentation of video content elements of different selected types categorized in hierarchical order. A web-based Content Management System receives content uploaded online in file formats with metadata for title and topical area, and automatically converts it into video data format compatible with the VOD content delivery system indexed by title and topical area. A User Interface for the system delivers listings data to the viewer's TV indexed by title and topical area specified by the uploaded metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Broadband iTV, Inc.
    Inventor: Milton Diaz Perez
  • Patent number: 9578377
    Abstract: Computer systems and methods in various embodiments are configured for improving speed and efficiency of server computers and remote client devices connected to the server computers, and requesting and downloading indexed and persistently stored segments of multimedia content, such as video during a sporting event, in real-time and/or with minimal delay from the server computers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventors: Kunaldeep Malik, Mark Kilgore