Two-way Video And Voice Communication (e.g., Videophone) Patents (Class 348/14.01)
  • Patent number: 9336308
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products that automatically categorize and/or assign ratings to content (video and audio content) uploaded by individuals who want to broadcast the content to others via a communications network, such as an IPTV network, are provided. When an individual uploads content to a network, a network service automatically extracts an audio stream from the uploaded content. Words in the extracted audio stream are identified. For each identified word, a preexisting library of selected words is queried to determine if a match exists between words in the library and words in the extracted audio stream. The selected words in the library are associated with a particular content category or content rating. If a match exists between an identified word and a word in the library, the uploaded content is assigned a content category and/or rating associated with the matched word.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, LP
    Inventor: Ke Yu
  • Patent number: 9338397
    Abstract: An information processing device includes an imaging unit configured to take an image; a first image processing unit configured to perform a first image process on the taken image; a sending unit configured to send the image, which has undergone the first image process, to a device that is a communication destination; and a changing unit configured to change a process content of the first image process, according to usage scene information received from the device that is the communication destination, the usage scene information specifying at least one usage scene among a plurality of usage scenes defined in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuki Kitazawa
  • Patent number: 9335820
    Abstract: A method of correcting gaze offset in an image of at least one individual having eyes is disclosed. The method comprises: processing the image to extract location of at least one eye over the image, processing the image to replace imagery data associated with each location of each eye with replacement data thereby providing a corrected image, and transmitting the corrected image to a display device. The replacement data are preferably previously-recorded imagery data which respectively correspond to the same eye but a different gaze.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Ramot at Tel-Aviv University Ltd.
    Inventors: Lior Wolf, Ziv Freund
  • Patent number: 9338515
    Abstract: A content delivery network includes an overlay network having a plurality of cache servers. Each cache server configured to receive a request from a personal content server to register with the content delivery network, receive a request from a mobile capture device to establish communication with the personal content server, and establish a communication path through the overlay network between the mobile capture device and the personal content server. Each cache server is further configured to transfer content from the mobile capture device along the communication path to the personal content server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Weidong Hu, Bernard Ku, Cameron Coursey
  • Patent number: 9330589
    Abstract: A virtual presence system includes a display having a structural matrix configured to arrange a plurality of spaced pixel elements. A plurality of spaced pixel elements collectively form an active visual area wherein an image is displayable. At least one image capture device is disposed within the active visual area for capturing an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Nanolumens Acquisition, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Craig Cope, Drew Fredrick Meincke, Jorge Perez Bravo
  • Patent number: 9325939
    Abstract: An approach for ensuring the gaze of a user is directed towards a camera during a video conferencing session is described. A gaze detection platform determines a visual focal point of a user with respect to a display based on gaze tracking information, eye-tracking information, or a combination thereof, wherein the user is engaged in a video-based communication session presented on the display. The gaze detection platform further calculates an adjustment to the visual focal point to create a perceived visual focal point of the user with respect to a camera used by the user for the video-based communication session. The adjustment includes adjusting a use of an optical device, a change in a placement of content on the display, a physical movement of the camera, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Paul T. Schultz, Robert A. Sartini
  • Patent number: 9325935
    Abstract: Generation of a preview window for video conferencing which is configured to output a silhouette of a user and output feedback on the user's facial position and surrounding lighting conditions. A user's image is captured with an input device and processed to create both the silhouette and indications which indicate if the user's facial position and surrounding light levels are suitable for the videoconference. The created silhouette and indications are outputted to a preview window in the user's video conferencing graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall B. Baird
  • Patent number: 9317751
    Abstract: A system for searching at least one video signal based on an input text string includes a video processing system that processes the at least one video signal by decoding the at least one video signal, encoding the at least one video signal or transcoding the at least one video signal. The video processing system generates a plurality of text strings that describe the video signal in conjunction with the processing. A memory stores a searchable index that includes the plurality of text strings. A search module identifies at least one matching video of the at least one video signal by comparing the input text string to the plurality of text strings of the searchable index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: ViXS Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ying Li, Xu Gang (Wilf) Zhao
  • Patent number: 9318121
    Abstract: Various aspects of a method and system to process audio data are disclosed herein. In accordance with an embodiment, the method includes identification of a source-of-interest (SOI), via a user interface (UI), when video content is played back. The SOI is identified based on one or more parameters. An audio portion of the identified SOI is selectively enhanced when the video content is played back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Behram Mario DaCosta
  • Patent number: 9317126
    Abstract: A head-mounted display device that enables a user to simultaneously visually recognize a virtual image and an outside scene includes a photographing unit configured to photograph at least a part of a visual field direction of the user in a state in which the user wears the head-mounted display device and acquire a motion of the user; a track acquiring unit configured to acquire a track of the motion of the user from the motion photographed by the photographing unit; and an authentication processing unit configured to authenticate, using the track acquired by the track acquiring unit, whether the user is a proper user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yutaka Fujimaki
  • Patent number: 9310872
    Abstract: A clock frequency controller for a processor and a method of operation thereof. The clock frequency controller may be embodied in a processor, including: (1) a processing core operable at a clock frequency to undertake a processing of a graphics application, and (2) a clock frequency controller coupled to the processing core and operable to adjust the clock frequency based on a current frame rate of the processing and a target frame rate for the processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ilan Aelion, Aleksandr Frid, Satya Popuri
  • Patent number: 9313392
    Abstract: Capturing a target image includes activating a first image sensor for capturing the target image. A sequence of images is captured with a second image sensor while the first image sensor remains activated. A determination is made as to whether the sequence of images captured by the second image sensor includes a shutter gesture while the first image sensor remains activated. If a shutter gesture is included in the sequence of images captured by the second image sensor, the first image sensor captures the target image in response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Guangbin Zhang, Weihua Xiong
  • Patent number: 9313454
    Abstract: Methods and systems may involve determining a user attention level based on video stream data associated with a first participant in an always-on video conferencing session. The video stream data may be modified based on the user attention level to obtain modified video stream data that is automatically adjusted for privacy. In addition, the modified video stream data may be transmitted to one or more other participants in the video conferencing session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Lalonde, Douglas Carmean
  • Patent number: 9310977
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for collecting and using presence information. In accordance with some techniques, a presence detection device (“PDD”) at a customer premises and/or another computer (such as a control server) can identify and/or authenticate a user. Once identified and/or authenticated, the user's profiles and/or media content may be sent to the PDD, and/or access to the user's profiles and/or media content may be provided to the PDD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Biscotti Inc.
    Inventors: Syed Nadeem Ahmed, Matthew B. Shoemake
  • Patent number: 9306762
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for storing video content collected by a home automation system. According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for accessing video content collected by a home automation system includes a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory which are executable by a processor to receive at a remote device live video content from a camera of the home automation system, and initiate real-time, two-way audio communication between the remote device and a user of the home automation system via the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy B. Warren
  • Patent number: 9307203
    Abstract: A method and communication system are disclosed for conducting a conference among sets of conference participants connected by a communication system. This system has at least one conference server, at least one image reproduction unit at each conference environment and at least one microphone at each conference environment. The method involves calculating respective virtual images of a majority of the conference environments, each virtual image containing at least one image corresponding to at least one conference participant who is present at that conference environment, calculating an aggregate representation of the virtual images of all conference environments and displaying the aggregate representation on at least one image reproduction unit. The method also calculates an individual representation for an individual conference participant and provides the individual participant with the individual representation while simultaneously providing to that individual the aggregate representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Unify GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick Kleiner, Karl Klug, Martha Unterstaller, Luzia Stephan
  • Patent number: 9300911
    Abstract: A mobile terminal communicates with a remote terminal via a video call. The mobile terminal searches for at least one peripheral smart television to acquire device information of the at least one television to establish a TV list, and selects a target television. The mobile terminal then negotiates with the remote terminal to change session description of the video call to make the remote terminal directly send media stream to the target television. The mobile terminal also controls the target television to acquire media stream of the video call and directly send media stream to the remote terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jin-Hue Lin
  • Patent number: 9294871
    Abstract: An electronic mobile device is disclosed. The electronic mobile device includes a housing including a plurality of sidewalls, a receiving space formed by the sidewalls, a slot formed in one of the sidewalls, and a non-conductive portion received in the slot. The non-conductive portion includes a non-metal body having a first surface facing the receiving space and a second surface opposed to the first surface. An antenna module is coupled with the housing, and the antenna module comprises an antenna coil locating on the first surface of the non-metal body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: AAC Technologies Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Junghoon Chae, Youngki Kim
  • Patent number: 9294633
    Abstract: There is provided a communication control apparatus comprising connection means for connecting a storage medium that has a memory function for reading and writing data, and a wireless communication function for communicating with an external apparatus. Control means supplies a clock to the storage medium at a predetermined timing and controls the wireless communication function of the storage medium. Obtaining means obtains, after the storage medium is supplied with the clock by the control means, communication protocol information on a communication protocol with which the wireless communication function is compatible from the storage medium. Display means performs display according to the communication protocol information obtained by the obtaining means. The control means stops supplying the clock to the storage medium after the communication protocol information has been obtained by the obtaining means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Aoyama
  • Patent number: 9288436
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing videoconferencing using split endpoints are disclosed herein. These endpoints can include a Main Unit and a Satellite Unit that are associated with each other, and where the tasks of video and audio encoding and decoding are separated between the two. In some embodiment the Main Unit performs video and audio encoding, and the Satellite Unit performs video and audio decoding. In some embodiments the Satellite Unit obtains media date through its associated Main Unit, whereas in other embodiments the Satellite Unit obtains media data directly from the Server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Vidyo, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandros Eleftheriadis, Ofer Shapiro, Ran Sharon
  • Patent number: 9276976
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a streaming apparatus, and a method in a network system, comprising at least a first and a second streaming apparatus (1001, 1002) for data streaming, each being adapted to upload and store media data, comprising a plurality of media data compositions, for example representing movies and/or TV channels, the network system further comprising a plurality of user devices (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: EDGEWARE AB
    Inventors: Göran Appelquist, Ola Bengtsson, Joachim Roos
  • Patent number: 9277177
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a HD video conferencing system (100) that includes at least one video conferencing server (10), an optimization module and at least two HD video conferencing clients (20). The server (10) includes an initiating module configured to initiate a conferencing session among one or more participants, and the HD A/V gateway is configured to distribute HD A/V content among the one or more participants. The optimization module is configured to process the HD A/V content to be shared among the one or more participants for reducing the size of the content. Each of the at least two clients (20) is capable of capturing the HD A/V content, and playing back the captured HD A/V content to the participants during the conferencing session. The communicable coupling between two HD video conferencing clients (20) and the video conferencing server (10) is being done using either Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) or Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: JMCS SDN. BHD.
    Inventor: Sureswaran Ramadass
  • Patent number: 9270933
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for video communication comprising a display having a reflective surface facing to a local user and a video camera mounted on a supporting structure and aimed toward the display; wherein said display displays dark screen images periodically; said camera captures of the local user's image reflected off from the surface during the dark screen image period. The captured reflective images of the local user are used to form a video stream for a remote user to view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Inventor: Yuan Qing Jiang
  • Patent number: 9270936
    Abstract: A communication system is described herein which provides an indicator that helps hub participants of a meeting (or other environmental setting) determine a direction of attention of a satellite participant (who is not physically present at the meeting). The indicator can be implemented as a mechanical pointer, a solid-state display mechanism, a rotating display mechanism, a display mechanism which presents visual information that reflects directionality, and so on. The communication system can assess the directionality of the satellite participant based on any combination of control inputs from explicit input mechanism(s) and/or implicit input mechanism(s). The communication system can also choose between explicit and/or implicit control of the indicator based on at least one selection criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Gina D. Venolia, George R. Robertson, John C. Tang, David M. Sirkin, Bongshin Lee
  • Patent number: 9250836
    Abstract: A mobile apparatus is disclosed. The mobile apparatus includes a user interface unit which is selected with a web page to be printed, an obtaining unit which obtains a size of the selected web page, a calculating unit which calculates a plurality of capture areas regarding the web page based on the obtained size of the web page so that there is not repeated area, an image processing unit which generates a capture image regarding the web page per calculated plurality of capture area, and combines the generated capture images to generate a print image, and a communication interface unit which transmits the generated print image to the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jeong-Jin Park, Jae-young Soh
  • Patent number: 9253441
    Abstract: There is provided a conference system which performs a remote conference by communicating conference data between a transmission terminal and a reception terminal. The transmission terminal receives input of the conference data including audio data, selects a real time mode of sequentially performing transmission of the input audio data and a package mode of performing transmission of the input audio data for each input of a predetermined unit amount, records the input audio data in the predetermined unit amount to generate audio record data when the package mode is selected, and transmits the input audio data to the reception terminal when the real time mode is selected and transmits the audio record data to the reception terminal when the package mode is selected. The reception terminal outputs the received input audio data preferentially over the received audio record data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Kondo
  • Patent number: 9247275
    Abstract: A web-based video broadcast system, comprising at least one web page in communication with a host system to permit a plurality of users and a plurality of content providers to access the host system. The host system is programmed to register a plurality of channels, each associated with a unique channel identifier, and to associate each of at least a portion of the plurality of channels with at least one content provider responsive to a request by the at least one content provider. The host system is further programmed to permit the at least one content provider associated with a channel to selectively upload to the host system at least one video file and associate the at least one video file with the channel. The host system is further programmed to store the at least one video file and continuously display the at least one video file responsive to a user selecting the channel via the at least one web page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Partners, LP
    Inventor: Thomas C. Hoshall
  • Patent number: 9247206
    Abstract: An information processing device is located at a second spot and communicates with another information processing device located at a first spot. The information processing device includes an acquisition unit for acquiring first motion information of a user of the other information processing device at the first spot; a specification unit for specifying first meaning information indicating a meaning of the first motion information at the first spot and second meaning information indicating a meaning of the first meaning information at the second spot; a correction unit for correcting the first motion information based on a difference between the first and second meaning information, such that the first motion information indicates the first meaning information at the second spot; and a generation unit for generating an object of the user of the other information processing device at the first spot, based on the corrected first motion information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Homma
  • Patent number: 9237460
    Abstract: A traffic control method and device are provided. The method may include: monitoring a user behavior status of an application, where the user behavior status includes an active state or an inactive state; according to predefined correspondence between a user behavior status and a traffic control threshold, determining a traffic control threshold corresponding to the monitored user behavior status; and controlling traffic of the application by using the determined traffic control threshold. Therefore, the traffic of the application can be dynamically monitored and the intelligence of traffic control can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Rungui Ye
  • Patent number: 9232183
    Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure performs, for example, displaying a video image of a remote scene at a display surface, wherein the remote scene is remote from the display surface. Overlapping video images are obtained from different vantage points of a local scene observable from the display surface. A composite video image is generated of the local scene from the video images and forwarded to the remote location. A first audio signal is generated representing first sounds associated with a first region of the local scene without representing other sounds associated with a second region of the local scene. The first audio signal is forwarded to audio processing equipment at the remote location to present the first sounds at a first region of the remote scene at the remote location without presenting the first sounds at a second region of the remote scene. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Svetlana Yarosh, Shankar Krishnan
  • Patent number: 9226007
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods related to a cloud-enabled network-based digital video recorder. In some embodiments, a request to record an asset may be received from a client device. An asset record associated with the request may be created. A first record event for generation of a manifest file may be created. A second record event for entitlement validation of an asset may be created. A third record event for quality control for the asset may be created based at least in part on the asset record. A manifest file associated with the asset may be generated based at least in part on the asset record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Alan Rothschild, Slavisha Karach
  • Patent number: 9219881
    Abstract: A server device bridges a live video chat between two terminals, and then terminates the live video chat after a short period of time has elapsed since the live video chat, in order to reduce the pressure and fear of the parties to the live video chat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Shenzhen Seefaa Scitech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhigang Ma
  • Patent number: 9215527
    Abstract: A speech separating digital signal processing system and algorithms for implementing speech separation combine beam-forming with residual noise suppression, such as computational auditory scene analysis (CASA) using a beam-former that has a primary lobe steered toward the source of speech by a control value generated from an adaptive filter. An estimator estimates the ambient noise and provides an input to the residual noise suppressor, and a post-filter may be used to noise-reduce the output of the estimator using a time-varying filter that compares two or more outputs of the beam-former with a quasi-stationary model of the speech and ambient noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Zoran M. Saric, Stanislav Ocovaj, Robert Peckai-Kovac, Jelena Kovacevic
  • Patent number: 9204095
    Abstract: A communication server and accompanying communication devices allow near instantaneous communication between users of the communication devices. A communication device may be configured with multiple channels, where each channel is assigned a corresponding communication device. As the communication devices are registered with the communication server, each communication device has knowledge of other registered communication devices. Thus, communication devices may communicate nearly instantaneously with each other. Furthermore, as the communication device is equipped with multiple channels, a single communication device may host a conference call with other communication devices. In addition, communication device may include multiple buttons to control the communication device, and indicator lights to indicate the status of calls with other communication devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Inventors: Hong Jiang, Benjamin Jiang Cymbala
  • Patent number: 9204194
    Abstract: A video segment can be shared over a computer network by first receiving the video segment at a receiving computer on the network. The receiving computer assures that the video segment is in a streaming video format, and creates at least one identification tag for the video segment. The receiving computer also stores the video segment, and communicates the identification tag to another computer on the network. Upon subsequent receipt of that identification tag, the receiving computer streams the video segment to a destination computer on the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: VideoShare, LLC
    Inventors: Gad Liwerant, Christopher Dodge, Guillaume Boissiere
  • Patent number: 9204096
    Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving data associated with a local endpoint that is configured to participate in a video conference. The local endpoint can be configured to detect a signal generated by a local end user device and to relay the signal to a local manager element. The method also includes transmitting the signal over a network to a remote manager element at a remote location. In more specific embodiments, the method includes receiving an additional signal from the remote manager element, and determining a selected local endpoint to receive the additional signal from the remote manager element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Brian J. Baldino, Michael G. Rexroad
  • Patent number: 9195624
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for transmitting and receiving data in a data communication system. The method includes receiving certain multimedia data from a portable terminal using a first data communication scheme; transmitting the certain multimedia data to an external device; receiving control data corresponding to the certain multimedia data from the external device based on the first data communication scheme; converting the control data into a data format of a second data communication scheme; generating data including the converted control data; and transmitting the data to the portable terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: One-Gun Lee, Woo-Jong Yoo, Hyun-Ho Park, Ju-Pyo Hong
  • Patent number: 9197841
    Abstract: A method includes identifying a scheduled video program recording conflict between video programs. The video programs are scheduled to be recorded at a same time. The method also includes determining whether there is at least one alternative recording opportunity for one of the video programs. The method includes determining a conflict status of a video program slot based on whether there is at least one alternative recording opportunity for the one of the video programs. The conflict status provides information applicable to determining a resolution of digital video recorder (DVR) scheduling for the video programs. The conflict status identifiers are provided to video program slots based on the conflict status of the video program slots. The method includes providing an option to manually resolve the scheduled video program recording conflict based on the conflict status identifiers, and resolving the scheduled video program recording conflict based on manual input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.
    Inventor: Michael R. Oliver
  • Patent number: 9191491
    Abstract: A mobile communication terminal and method are provided for receiving an incoming voice call and for displaying a notification, an incoming phone number, and an elapsed voice communication time during an incoming voice communication. The method includes receiving a call request from a base station; responding to the call request, to perform a call-setup with the base station; in response to the call-set up, automatically displaying a plurality of icons together with the notification, the incoming phone number, and the elapsed voice communication time, wherein the plurality of icons are respectively associated with voice communication related functions, and wherein at least one of the plurality of icons includes a graphic symbol portion and a text portion; receiving an input for selecting one of the plurality of icons; and performing a voice communication related function associated with the selected icon while in the incoming voice communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Jeong-Gyu Jin
  • Patent number: 9177455
    Abstract: A personal safety system, method, and apparatus provides image, audio, and data capture and transport system (IADCTS) features wherein an electronic device placed on a user can capture data associated with a potential perpetrator of a crime against the user. The electronic device sends the captured data (such as images or audio) to a secure and remote storage location. The capturing and sending of the data cannot be reversed or canceled by the user or potential perpetrator. The potential perpetrator is notified that the potential perpetrator's data has been captured by the electronic device, thereby discouraging the potential perpetrator from further proceeding with the crime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: PERPCAST, INC.
    Inventor: David M. Remer
  • Patent number: 9172907
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically adjusting an aspect ratio of an image during a video call is described herein. Specifically, a method for dynamically adjusting the aspect ratio of an image during a video call may include obtaining at least one display parameter of a display device, performing a comparison of the at least one display parameter to at least one image capture parameter of a capture device, capturing an original image, modifying the original image based on the comparison performed, wherein the modified image has an adjusted aspect ratio different from an aspect ratio of the original image, and sending the modified image to the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Vonage Network LLC
    Inventors: Gil Osher, Ido Mintz, Sagie Machlin, Itay Bianco
  • Patent number: 9172905
    Abstract: A mobile device and method for a messenger-based video call service using camera preview image and voice information are provided. In the method, the mobile device displays a camera preview screen by executing a camera, and detects an input for selecting one or more sharers for a video call from the camera preview screen. Then, the mobile device executes a messenger for providing the video call service, transmits a connection request to the selected sharers through the messenger, and performs the messenger-based video call with the sharers in response to the connection request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sejun Song, Jungsic Sung, Junseok Lee, Chulhwan Lee
  • Patent number: 9167201
    Abstract: A feedback-system for managing the position of a frontal camera provided on a portable multimedia device during video communication. The feedback-system comprises a camera image analyzer coupled to the frontal camera and adapted to detect and analyze the pose of a user facing the frontal camera, an optimal video estimator coupled to the camera image analyzer and adapted to calculate a 6-dimensional error-vector of the current position of the frontal camera with respect to an optimal position of the frontal camera, an intuitive feedback manager coupled to the optimal video estimator and adapted to generate a transformation matrix translating the error-vector into an error message for the image displayed on a screen of the portable multimedia device, the intuitive feedback manager being further coupled to the portable multimedia device which is adapted to use the error message for modifying the image displayed on the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Erwin Alfons Constant Six, Sammy Lievens, Maarten Aerts, Donny G. Tytgat
  • Patent number: 9154596
    Abstract: A communication device may determine total gain for a downlink processing path via the communication device. The total gain may be determined based on determination of audio requirements for each of a plurality of audio processing devices supported via the communication device, during the downlink processing path. The communication device is operable to determine a default mix signal gain, a downlink gain adjustment and a calibration gain based on the determined audio requirements, and to calculate the total gain for the downlink processing path based on the determined default mix signal gain, the downlink gain adjustment and the calibration gain. The determination of the total gain may be based on determination of a telephony state in the communication device. The calibration gain may be determined during calibration of the communication device, whereas the downlink gain adjustment may be calculated based on an adjustment step-size and/or a mode based gain index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Prakash Khanduri
  • Patent number: 9154247
    Abstract: A live uplink transmission and broadcasting management system and method for managing a plurality of live uplink transmissions and broadcasting events, the system comprising: (i) a publication portal for publishing transmissions of live events; (ii) a database for storing metadata, system data, broadcast data and user data; (iii) a broadcast manager adapted for receiving and processing in real-time metadata information related to a plurality of live uplink transmission events wherein each live uplink transmission event transmits in a plurality of uplink channels, wherein processed metadata information generate data elements adapted for being used in telecom and datacom real time management applications, said broadcast manager also adapted for updating the publication portal with live event information and (iv) a set of Quality of Service (QoS) management methods to coordinate the usage of Uplink transmissions based on the received metadata and their processing in the broadcast manager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: LIVEU LTD.
    Inventor: Baruch Yosef Altman
  • Patent number: 9154626
    Abstract: A microprocessor executable resource monitor operable to determine that a less skilled and/or qualified resource has been assigned to service a work item or is servicing the work item, wherein a more skilled and/or qualified resource exists but is not currently available to service the work item, monitor at least one of a level of service provided by the less qualified resource to the work item and/or a customer associated with the work item and an availability of the more skilled and/or qualified resource to service the work item, and, in response to the monitoring step and while the work item is being serviced, transfer the work item to the more skilled and/or qualified resource for servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Gene Masaru Uba, Michael Alan Bland, Robert C. Steiner
  • Patent number: 9154925
    Abstract: User experience enhancements for conducting group communication sessions may include displaying visual feedback on a display to indicate a state of a group communication session. Embodiments may include establishing a group communication channel with devices in a first operating mode in response to inputs on a user interface, detecting actuation of a target-based sliding lock mechanism on a touchscreen user interface display, and while the locking mechanism is actuated, maintaining the group communication channel in a second operating mode. Other embodiments may include initiating a group communication session in response to a user input, detecting actuation of a locking mechanism by a user on a user interface, sending a request to a server for a priority floor access in response to the detected actuation of the locking mechanism, and while the locking mechanism is actuated, maintaining a group communication channel with one or more devices in a priority access mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Kameron N. Kerger, Devender A. Yamakawa, Paul J. Lafata
  • Patent number: 9146710
    Abstract: A system for automating at least a portion of a communication application development cycle using a communication virtual machine that automatically interfaces with an existing network system and provides an engine for executing designed application models over the existing network system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: THE FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
    Inventors: Yi Deng, S. Masoud Sadjadi, Steve Luis, Peter Clarke, Chi Zhang, Evangelos Christidis, Raju Rangaswami
  • Patent number: 9142222
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of improving the quality of a speech codec are provided. In the method, a first energy of a signal decoded by a low-band codec is calculated, and a second energy of a signal decoded by a low-band enhancement mode is calculated. Then, when the first energy is less than a first threshold value or less than a product of the second energy and a second threshold value, a size of the decoded signal is scaled. Accordingly, generation of a quantization error with respect to a silence segment is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Mi-Suk Lee, Do-Young Kim, Byung-Sun Lee
  • Patent number: 9143726
    Abstract: A certain embodiment of the invention provides a video media server (10) for implementing a video intercommunication gateway function and a video intercommunication method, the video media server (10) including: a video access control system module (11), which is configured to apply to the video media server (10) for a first video port supporting first coding and a second video port supporting second coding, complete media negotiation between the first video port and a call center (13), and complete media negotiation between the second video port and a video access network; a code converting module, which is configured to realize code conversion between the first video port and the second video port. The function of a video intercommunication gateway device is realized using a video media server (10) supporting the second coding multiplexing and demultiplexing function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventors: Wenyuan Wang, Hong Chen