Search Tuning Patents (Class 348/732)
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Patent number: 11743769Abstract: A method and a system for concurrently transmitting from an antenna a first sequence of data from a first access node and a second sequence of data from a second access node. An example method includes orthogonally encoding the first and second sequences, including encoding the first sequence with a first binary code to produce a first encoded sequence and encoding the second sequence with a second binary code to produce a second encoded sequence, combining the first encoded sequence and the second encoded sequence to produce a combined encoded sequence, and transmitting the combined encoded sequence from the antenna, with transmitting the combined encoded sequence from the antenna including engaging in a first transmission of the combined encoded sequence from the antenna and engaging in a second transmission of the combined encoded sequence from the same antenna with a phase delay compared with the first transmission.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2022Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Sprint Spectrum LLCInventors: Nagi Mansour, Akin Ozozlu, Kafi Hassan
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Patent number: 11716501Abstract: Various arrangements for facilitating smart television content receivers are provided. A primary television receiver (PTR) having a first operating system may be configured to receive digital content from a remote content provider and distribute the content to one or more devices in response to a request for the content. A secondary television receiver (STR) configured to be in communication with a PTR and having a second operating system may be configured to receive the digital content from the PTR and provide the content to a display for presentation. The STR may include a first software stack including first processes and a first inter-process communication (IPC) mechanism, and a second software stack including second processes and a second IPC mechanism. The first processes may use the first IPC to communicate with the second processes. The second processes may use the second IPC to communicate with others of the second processes.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2021Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: DISH Network L.L.C.Inventor: Kan Man Wong
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Patent number: 11689304Abstract: A system for generating, transmitting, providing and/or receiving signaling.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2022Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Sachin G. Deshpande
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Patent number: 11595724Abstract: Improved technical functionality is provided to dynamically select and seamlessly play advertisements immediately before playing of a recorded program upon selection of the recorded program for playing, or upon other detected events and conditions associated with the set-top-box (STB) or user. In some embodiments, this is performed by using metadata which may be delivered to and stored on a digital video recorder (DVR) prior to recording the program, providing a technical solution to enable opportunities for additional advertisement impressions. Playing of the advertisement may also or instead occur upon the recorded program finishing playing. Thus, the technical solution provides the additional opportunity for the content creator and/or the satellite television or cable service provider to sell advertising spots in addition to those already sold for breaks within the recorded program.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Inventors: Yunfeng Yang, John S. Todd, Denise Carlson-Todd
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Patent number: 11115891Abstract: A method for automatically retuning a specific broadcast program for a mobile or transportable device includes instructing the mobile or transportable device to stay on a specific broadcast program; monitoring a radio signal of the specific broadcast program broadcast from a first fixed location radio communication facility, when the radio signal is weaker than a threshold value, the mobile or transportable device searches a database thereof to find radio communication parameters of a second fixed location radio communication facility that broadcasts the same program as the specific broadcast program and locates most closely to the current location of the mobile or transportable device; and operably retuning the mobile or transportable device in the specific broadcast program broadcast from the first fixed location radio communication facility to the second fixed location radio communication facility according to the radio communication parameters of the second fixed location radio communication facility.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Inventor: John Thomas Walker, II
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Patent number: 10779048Abstract: Two-tuner media device systems and methods are operable to pre-tune a second tuner in anticipation of a channel surfing activity. An exemplary embodiment receives a first content stream associated with a currently presented channel at a first tuner, determines an anticipated channel based upon the currently presented channel and a historical channel surfing pattern, receives a second content stream associated with the anticipated channel at a second tuner, detects an initiation of a channel surfing activity, and presents at least a video portion of the second content stream associated with the anticipated channel in response to detecting the initiation of the channel surfing activity.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2014Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: DISH Broadcasting CorporationInventor: Kevin Yao
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Patent number: 10674200Abstract: A last viewed zone comprising video streams of a predetermined number of last viewed channels is provided. Channels selected by a user are identified and added to a channel list, which is maintained and stored in a temporary repository. When a selection of the last viewed zone is received, a last viewed zone user interface comprising a predetermined number of channels from the channel list is generated for display on the user's display device in a mosaic fashion such that the video streams of each of the channels may be viewed simultaneously. Additional functionalities like audio may be provided for the video stream of user's choice. The channels within the channel list may include the last channels tuned-to on the viewing device and user selected channels.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2016Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: COX COMMUNICATIONS, INC.Inventors: Catherine Elizabeth Thompson, James Alan Strothmann
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Patent number: 10523217Abstract: A frequency locked loop is disclosed. The disclosed frequency locked loop may include: a voltage-controlled oscillator configured to output a LO signal; a mixer configured to mix an RF signal with the LO signal to output an IF signal; a first IF path part configured to transfer the IF signal; a second IF path part configured to transfer the IF signal; and an error amplifier configured to receive output signals of the first IF path part and output signals of the second IF part as input, where the voltage-controlled oscillator adjusts a frequency of the LO signal based on an output signal of the error amplifier, the first IF path part has the conversion gain decreased according to an increase in the frequency of the IF signal, and the second IF path part has the conversion gain increased according to an increase in the frequency of the IF signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2018Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: KOREA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND BUSINESS FOUNDATIONInventors: Jae-Sung Rieh, Jung Soo Kim
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Patent number: 10433001Abstract: A broadcast receiving apparatus includes a plurality of tuners configured to be tuned for a broadcast signal; and a processor configured to: make a plurality of operations be assigned to and performed in the plurality of tuners, the plurality of operations being different from one another and being performed in sequence to receive content involved in the broadcast signal, make the assignment of the plurality of operations to the plurality of tuners be varied depending on progress with the plurality of operations, and perform control to receive the content from the broadcast signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jongman Heo, Byoungwhan Kim
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Patent number: 10015682Abstract: The telecommunications network, which includes a plurality of existing cells each having an assigned identifier from a set of identifiers, calculates a value for each existing cell, wherein the value represents the likelihood of an identifier conflict if a new cell is deployed near that existing cell. The value may therefore provide a network operator with an indication of the likelihood of an identifier conflict if a new cell is deployed in a particular area, such that the network operator may proactively avoid identifier conflicts.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2013Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M ERICSSON (PUBL)Inventor: Cormac Mullally
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Patent number: 9894396Abstract: In one aspect, an example method includes (i) accessing a first set of ordered content items and a second set of active/inactive status attributes; (ii) identifying a subset of the first set based on each content item of the subset corresponding to an active status attribute in the second set; (iii) using the content items of the identified subset to generate a plurality of media items, each generated media item including the content items of the identified subset and being a respective type of media item; (iv) determining that a particular content item of the first set satisfies a condition, wherein the particular content item corresponds to a particular active/inactive status attribute of the second set; (v) based on the determination, modifying the particular active/inactive status attribute; and (vi) after modifying the particular active/inactive status attribute, repeating the identifying and using acts, thereby causing modification of the generated media items.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2017Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Tribune Broadcasting Company, LLCInventor: David McFerrin
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Patent number: 9811643Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a server divides data into multiple data segments, directly stores some of the data segments without encryption, and encrypts and stores the other data segments; the server receives, from the terminal, a download request of downloading the data, and sends the unencrypted data segments to the terminal; and the server receives an identity authentication request sent by the terminal, performs identity authentication on the terminal, and sends the encrypted data segments to the terminal after the identity authentication succeeds.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company LimitedInventor: Yuancan Lin
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Patent number: 9806921Abstract: A mobile communication device is provided that includes a receiver configured to receive a signal. The communication device further includes a calculation circuit configured to determine a cumulant value of an order higher than two of the received signal, to determine a function value of the determined cumulant value and to compare the determined function value with a predefined value. The communication device further includes a decoder configured to decode the received signal. The communication device further includes a target signal detector configured to activate the decoder based on the comparison of the function value with the predefined value.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: INTEL CORPORATIONInventors: David Arditti Ilitzky, Paulino Mendoza, Thomas Tetzlaff
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Patent number: 9191692Abstract: A television recording system in which multiple client devices can form a group, sharing tuners and channel lineups. The clients may be desktop or laptop computers, digital video recorders or other set top boxes. A device within the group may act as a master, maintaining a master recording schedule and assigning tuners to record programs when scheduled or when a client requests use of a tuner for display live programming. Clients may register with the master, revealing the capabilities of their tuners. The master may, each time a tuner is desired, select an appropriate tuner based on multiple criteria, including bandwidth considerations and capabilities of the tuner.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2010Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Douglas Berrett, Cory Cirrincione, Joseph McClanahan, Sean Kollenkark
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Patent number: 9036091Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a tuner, a digital television (DTV) demodulator, an analog television (ATV) demodulator, and a controller. The tuner includes an input for receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal including at least one of an analog television signal and digital television signal, and including a first output terminal and a second output terminal. The DTV demodulator includes a DTV input coupled to the first output terminal of the tuner and includes a DTV output terminal. The ATV demodulator includes an ATV input coupled to the second output terminal of the tuner and includes an ATV output terminal. The controller is coupled to the tuner, the DTV demodulator, and the ATV demodulator to configure the tuner and at least one of the DTV demodulator and the ATV demodulator for receiving television content in a selected television format.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2011Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Alan F. Hendrickson, Alessandro Piovaccari, Ramin Khoini-Poorfard, Mitchell Reid, Frederick Alan Rush, Jean-Marc Guyot, David Le Goff, Michael Robert May, Henry William Singor, Qi Cai, Peter Jozef Vancorenland, Chunyu Xin, Pascal Blouin
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Patent number: 9025085Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing access to program channels, e.g., high definition programs and program channels which corresponding to a standard definition program and/or program channels are described. In accordance with the invention, a high definition auto tune function is supported. When enabled, in one exemplary embodiment, if a user selects a standard program definition channel, a check is automatically made to determine if a corresponding high definition program channel is available. The corresponding high definition program channel is a channel which provides the same program as on the selected standard definition channel but in high definition. When the auto tune function is enabled and a corresponding high definition channel is available, the device, e.g., set to box or tuner implementing the auto tune feature of the present invention, automatically tunes to the high definition channel instead of the standard definition channel.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2014Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCInventor: Hugh Josephs
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Publication number: 20150116596Abstract: According to one embodiment, a display apparatus includes a display, a receiver, and a tuner. The receiver is configured to receive position information indicative of a position where the display apparatus exists. The tuner is configured to tune a signal used for displaying an image on the display based on the position information.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventor: Tsuyoshi Tateno
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Publication number: 20150103255Abstract: An apparatus for searching broadcast channels may include a broadcast signal distributing unit distributing a broadcast signal, a first channel searching unit searching an analog broadcast channel in the distributed broadcast signal, a second channel searching unit searching a digital broadcast channel in the distributed broadcast signal, and a controlling unit receiving search results from the first channel searching unit and the second channel searching unit, generating effective channel information regarding the analog broadcast channel and the digital broadcast channel using the received search results, and controlling the second channel searching unit to skip a channel search in a frequency band in which the analog broadcast channel is present using the generated effective channel information regarding the analog broadcast channel when the search for the analog broadcast channel by the first channel searching unit is terminated first.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Nam Min KIM, Hyung Bong JEON, Ju Ho LEE, Si Young KWON, Dong Jin YOON, Kyo Sang LEE, In Jong JANG, Tae Gyu RYU, Jae Soon LEE
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Patent number: 9007530Abstract: The present technique relates to a channel scan device and method, and a program configured so that high-speed channel scan is enabled. The power spectrum extracting unit 31 of the decoding unit 22 extracts a power level for each frequency of an input signal as a power spectrum, and supplies the power level to the channel scan processing unit 23. The channel scan processing unit 23 extracts a trapezoidal band, which constitutes a power spectrum waveform, in a power spectrum as a channel candidate, and extracts a channel, for which synchronization of a clock and synchronization of a TS required for reproduction of audio and video can be confirmed, as a valid channel. The present technique can be applied to a television receiver.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Kamata, Hideyuki Matsumoto, Yuichi Hirayama
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Patent number: 8984554Abstract: A hybrid tuner, comprising multiple individual tuners having differing capabilities of receiving programs or channels of broadcast audio or video content, can be controlled by periodically determining the capabilities of each individual tuner to receive broadcast channels, storing such information into a guide database and then utilizing such information to select appropriate individual tuners to tune in desired programs. If the tuners that can receive a desired program are already in use, the program they are currently receiving can be switched to a different tuner to free up the tuner that can receive the desired program without interrupting the consumption of the program currently being received. When determining the capabilities of an individual tuner to receive a particular channel, one or more tokens associated with such a channel, and utilized to prevent unauthorized access to such a channel, can be obtained from the guide database and provided to the tuner.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2010Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Shigeru Aoki, Atsushi Osaki
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Patent number: 8982282Abstract: A display apparatus and a method of searching for a channel in the display apparatus includes a plurality of tuners and a plurality of antenna ports respectively connected to the plurality of tuners. The method includes receiving a channel search command; if the channel search command is input, searching for one of the plurality of antenna ports that is connected to a satellite antenna to receive a broadcasting signal, if one of the plurality of antenna ports is connected to the satellite antenna to receive the broadcasting signal, setting one of the plurality of tuners connected to the one antenna port, to a main tuner, and performing a channel search through the tuner set to the main tuner. Therefore, although an antenna port connected to one of the plurality of tuners initially set to a sub tuner, the display apparatus performs a channel search through the corresponding tuner.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2014Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jun-hee Woo
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Patent number: 8982283Abstract: A method of scanning television channels at initial setup. The method includes at a first power mode, automatically scanning for channels using a first scanning setup procedure during which the television is unusable by a user. The first power mode is when the television is at a full power mode. The detected channels are automatically provided for use by the television upon completion of the first scanning setup procedure. The method further includes automatically scanning for channels using a second scanning setup procedure at a second power mode following the first power mode. The second power mode is at a lower power mode than the first power mode, and the second scanning setup procedure is more time consuming in comparison to the first scanning setup procedure. Additional channels not detected during the initial setup by the first scanning setup procedure are automatically detected at the second power mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.Inventors: Tonni Sandager Larsen, Yuko Suzuki, Norifumi Takaya, William Schupp, Max Wu, Liviu Burciu
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Patent number: 8958016Abstract: A method is disclosed including but not limited to continuously displaying a selected channel in a new picture in picture display; and removing the selected channel from a first plurality of video channels to form a second plurality of video channels for selecting a second set of video channels from the second plurality of video channels A computer program and system for performing the method are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LPInventor: Dinesh Nadarajah
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Patent number: 8958017Abstract: A reception apparatus includes a plurality of reception circuits disposed in a predetermined arrangement state, a plurality of local oscillation circuits each of which supplies a local oscillation signal to each of the plurality of reception circuits, and a control unit that controls each reception circuit and each local oscillation circuit. When there is a specific reception circuit to which a local oscillation signal is supplied, of which frequency matches or is close to a passing frequency during a search of a reception signal with a tuning request, the control unit performs the search of the reception signal with the tuning request in a reception circuit disposed at a position far from the specific reception circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2014Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Shimizu, Tomonori Nakajima
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Patent number: 8928819Abstract: A system or method selects among multiple tuners to tune a particular channel. A request is received to tune a first channel. In response to this request, a first tuner is assigned to tune the first channel. A request is received to tune a second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is not being recorded, the first tuner is assigned to tune the second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is being recorded, the second tuner is assigned to tune the second channel.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Rovi Technologies CorporationInventors: Peter J. Potrebic, Geoffrey Smith
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Patent number: 8931017Abstract: A channel scanning method for Digital Video Broadcasting-Satellite (DVB-S) signals is provided. The method includes: scanning a radio frequency (RF) signal according to a normal frequency step; when the Nth channel is detected, obtaining a difference between a low boundary of an Nth channel and a high boundary of an (N?1)th channel; and, when the difference is within a predetermined bandwidth range, scanning the RF signal between the high boundary of the (N?1)th channel and the low boundary of the Nth channel according to a narrow frequency step. The normal frequency step is greater than the narrow frequency step.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Chu-Hsin Chang, Kai-Wen Cheng, Yi-Ying Liao, Tung-Sheng Lin, Tai-Lai Tung
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Patent number: 8913199Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a computing device, a first selection of first video content. The method also includes sending the first video content to a display device. The method further includes adding a first element corresponding to the first video content to a list. The list includes multiple elements and each element of the list corresponds to respective previously displayed video content. The method includes sending the list to the display device. The elements of the list are ordered based on display times of the corresponding video content.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2014Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Charles Stahulak, Bruce Barnes, Dolores J. Mallian, Nikhil Marathe
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Publication number: 20140354890Abstract: A method, computer-readable storage medium, reception apparatus, and information providing apparatus for generating a list of accessible channels. The method includes retrieving from a primary server terrestrial broadcast channel information associated with a predetermined geographical region. The terrestrial broadcast channel information includes, for each broadcaster associated with the predetermined geographical region, one or a combination of a broadcast channel and a secondary server location associated with the respective broadcaster. Service information is retrieved, for each of at least one broadcaster associated with the predetermined geographical region, from a secondary server associated with the respective broadcaster based on the terrestrial broadcast channel information.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2013Publication date: December 4, 2014Inventor: Mark EYER
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Patent number: 8902370Abstract: A television channel scan method involves successively scanning a sample number of channels within a first television channel plan to determine whether or not any channel was detected by sequentially tuning the channels at a tuner. If at least one channel is detected in the first television channel plan: then retrieving a map for all channels in the first television channel plan, and selecting all channels within the first television channel plan as channels available for a user to tune. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2014Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.Inventors: Robert N. Blanchard, Robert L. Hardacker
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Patent number: 8887198Abstract: Provided are a display device and a channel search method thereof. The display device comprises: a key input unit for inputting a request command from a user; a tuner unit for sequentially searching broadcast channels of each band according to a channel search command input from the key input unit; and a control unit for controlling a channel re-search to be performed sequentially from an already-searched channel when a channel re-search command is input from the key input unit during the sequential channel search.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Eunyoung Kim
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Publication number: 20140313418Abstract: A display apparatus and a method of searching for a channel in the display apparatus includes a plurality of tuners and a plurality of antenna ports respectively connected to the plurality of tuners. The method includes receiving a channel search command; if the channel search command is input, searching for one of the plurality of antenna ports that is connected to a satellite antenna to receive a broadcasting signal, if one of the plurality of antenna ports is connected to the satellite antenna to receive the broadcasting signal, setting one of the plurality of tuners connected to the one antenna port, to a main tuner, and performing a channel search through the tuner set to the main tuner. Therefore, although an antenna port connected to one of the plurality of tuners initially set to a sub tuner, the display apparatus performs a channel search through the corresponding tuner.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jun-hee WOO
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Patent number: 8854554Abstract: Disclosed is a channel setting processing including the steps of: generating a channel map data including physical channel information about a physical channel available to receive a broadcast signal, the physical channel information being at least a main channel number of a virtual channel, a sub channel number of the virtual channel, a broadcast station name, and a predetermined program information indicating program contents; judging whether or not there exist plural physical channels on standby for reception and capable of sharing the same program there between, based on at least two kinds of information among the physical channel information, recorded on a channel to channel basis on the channel map data; and, based on the judgment that there exit plural physical channels sharing the same program, disenabling other physical channels except one physical channel thereamong to be selected despite the instruction of physical channel selection through external manipulation.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2008Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tomonori Shioji
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Publication number: 20140267930Abstract: A reception apparatus includes a plurality of reception circuits disposed in a predetermined arrangement state, a plurality of local oscillation circuits each of which supplies a local oscillation signal to each of the plurality of reception circuits, and a control unit that controls each reception circuit and each local oscillation circuit. When there is a specific reception circuit to which a local oscillation signal is supplied, of which frequency matches or is close to a passing frequency during a search of a reception signal with a tuning request, the control unit performs the search of the reception signal with the tuning request in a reception circuit disposed at a position far from the specific reception circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Sony CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Shimizu, Tomonori Nakajima
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Patent number: 8830405Abstract: A DC/DC converter 10 has a high-side transistor QH as a switching element and a low-side transistor QL as a synchronous rectifier element. A first primary electrode D and secondary primary electrode S of the high-side transistor QH are connected to an input voltage VIN and an external terminal T1, respectively. A detection transistor QD is provided in a row with the high-side transistor QH, and the ON voltage of the high-side transistor QH when ON is output as detection voltage VQD from the detection transistor QD. The output detection voltage VQD is added to a feedback voltage VFB1 by an adder CB, and inputted to a comparator CMP1. The ON period of a one-shot pulse PS1 outputted from the comparator CMP1 is regulated so as to be in direct proportion to the sum of the detection voltage VQD and the feedback voltage VFB1.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2012Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kazuhiro Murakami
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Patent number: 8823879Abstract: A method carried out on a television receiver device involves at a television receiver/tuner device, carrying out a channel scan to identify available television channels that can be received by the television receiver device; while the channel scan is being carried out: reading a feature highlight video file from a memory; and displaying the feature highlight video file on a television display. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2009Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: True Xiong, Prisciliano Flores
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Patent number: 8819730Abstract: An apparatus and a method for commonly applying channel scanning to non-network scanning schemes in a digital video broadcasting system are provided. The method includes deleting all services stored in a database, temporarily storing services scanned through each frequency in a temporary storage unit, and performing channel scanning for all frequencies. Accordingly, the same service including different Logical Channel Numbers (LCNs) that is repeatedly stored or another service including the same LCN that is not stored in a Multi Frequency Network (MFN) boundary area using the non-networking scanning scheme is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2010Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Eung-Sun Kim
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Patent number: 8804052Abstract: A system and method for automatically managing television channel lists is disclosed. Pixel resolutions characteristics of a plurality of televisions channels are analyzed. One or more high definition television (HDTV) channels having HD pixel resolutions from the plurality of available television channels are selected. The one or more selected HDTV channels are stored in a HD channel list.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2008Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Byung Chan Kang, Taehee Kim, Paul Kim
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Patent number: 8804042Abstract: Digital television channels are preemptively cached based on a modeling of a user to reduce delays while switching channels. A current television channel is selected using a first tuner. A future television channel selection of the user is then predicted based on a modeling of the user. The recorded content of the predicted future television channel is preemptively cached using a second tuner. A buffer of the recorded content of the predicted future television channel is displayed when the user switches from the current television channel to the predicted future television channel. The modeling of the user is updated and stored in storage.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2013Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Gregory J. Boss, James R. Kozloski, Clifford Alan Pickover, Anne R. Sand
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Patent number: 8780276Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing access to program channels, e.g., high definition programs and program channels which corresponding to a standard definition program and/or program channels are described. In accordance with the invention, a high definition auto tune function is supported. When enabled, in one exemplary embodiment, if a user selects a standard program definition channel, a check is automatically made to determine if a corresponding high definition program channel is available. The corresponding high definition program channel is a channel which provides the same program as on the selected standard definition channel but in high definition. When the auto tune function is enabled and a corresponding high definition channel is available, the device, e.g., set to box or tuner implementing the auto tune feature of the present invention, automatically tunes to the high definition channel instead of the standard definition channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCInventor: Hugh Josephs
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Patent number: 8780277Abstract: A television receiver for receiving TV signals when unknown interference is present in a predetermined bandwidth in which the TV signals are transmitted. The TV receiver comprises an input, a tuner, a configurable filter and a controller circuitry. The input receives a radio frequency (RF) signal comprising the terrestrial TV signals. The tuner is configured to detect the terrestrial TV signals, where the terrestrial TV signals include a plurality of frequency channels within a predetermined bandwidth and the plurality of frequency channels provide TV signals which communicate TV channels. The configurable filter is configurable to suppress signals received from one or more of the plurality of frequency channels within the predetermined bandwidth.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2013Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Europe LimitedInventors: David Williams, Stephen Beck, John Nicholas Wilson, James Kenneth Alexander Ritchie
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Patent number: 8767130Abstract: A method for assisting users with channel entry utilizes channel tuning history to simplify the channel entry process. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method includes steps of storing a list of channel numbers previously tuned by the apparatus; receiving a first input selecting a most significant digit of a channel number; and enabling a display of channel numbers in response to the first input, wherein the displayed channel numbers comprise at least one channel number included in the stored list and having the most significant digit and at least one other channel number not included in the stored list and having the most significant digit.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2007Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Darrell Wayne Randall, Michael Joseph McLane
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Patent number: 8754987Abstract: A display device includes a display component coupled to a signal generating unit with a single trace. The signal generating unit generates a first signal. A processing unit, connected to the display component and the single trace, receives the first signal through the single trace and generates a first type control signal, a second type control signal, and a third type control signal according to the first signal. The processing unit generates and controls an on-screen display menu displayed by the display component according to status of the display device and the received first signal as one of the first type control signal, the second type control signal, and the third type control signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2013Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: AmTRAN Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ching-Chang Hsu, Wen-Kang Wei, Yung-Hung Ho, Chien-Yu Hsiung
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Systems and methods for tracking content sources from which media assets have previously been viewed
Patent number: 8756620Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking content sources from which media assets have previously been viewed are provided. A user request to access a first content source is received. Content currently being presented to the user from the first content source is monitored to determine whether the content meets a criterion. An amount of time the content being presented meets the criterion is measured. In response to determining the amount of time exceeds a threshold, an identifier of the first content source is stored in a list of content sources from which content meeting the criterion was previously presented to the user. Content received from one of the content sources in the list is presented each time a user request to access a last content source is received.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2012Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.Inventors: Michael Papish, Brian Fife -
Publication number: 20140139748Abstract: A television channel scan method involves successively scanning a sample number of channels within a first television channel plan to determine whether or not any channel was detected by sequentially tuning the channels at a tuner. If at least one channel is detected in the first television channel plan: then retrieving a map for all channels in the first television channel plan, and selecting all channels within the first television channel plan as channels available for a user to tune. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2014Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicants: SONY ELECTRONICS, INC., SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Robert N. Blanchard, Robert L. Hardacker
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Patent number: 8730404Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention includes a latch circuit having a first input to receive a data signal and a second input to receive a clock signal. This latch circuit may have a first pair of transistors including a first transistor gated by the data signal and a second transistor gated by an inverted data signal and a second pair of transistors including third and fourth transistors gated by the clock signal. The first transistor may be coupled to the third transistor at a first inter-latch node and the second transistor coupled to the fourth transistor at a second inter-latch node. A reset circuit may be coupled to the latch circuit to maintain the first and second inter-latch nodes at a predetermined voltage level when the clock signal is inactive.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Clayton Daigle, Abdulkerim L. Coban
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Patent number: 8724034Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for scanning channels in a television signal receiver. The apparatuses generally include a first acquisition circuit, a second acquisition circuit, and a controller. The first acquisition circuit is generally configured to determine, during a first time period, whether a selected radio frequency channel has a first format and to produce a first acquisition indicator in response thereto. The second acquisition circuit is generally configured to determine, during a second time period overlapping the first time period, whether the selected radio frequency channel has a second format and to produce a second acquisition indicator in response thereto. The controller is generally configured to scan a plurality of radio frequency channels by operating the first acquisition circuit and the second acquisition circuit for each one of the plurality of radio frequency channels. Embodiments advantageously provides for faster scanning and acquisition of television signals in a mixed-format (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2008Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Mediatek Inc.Inventors: Chiao-Chih Chang, Yi-Fu Chen, Ming-Luen Liou
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Patent number: 8724035Abstract: Receiver apparatus comprises: first and second receiving systems; a demodulation/diversity combining means for combining demodulated signals of first and second receiving systems; a selection means for selecting and outputting an output of either one of first and second receiving systems; and a control means for controlling the operations of the whole receiver apparatus. Control means causes to execute a first composite operation, either one of the receiving systems is caused to continue reception operation while the other receiving system is caused to perform channel search to search a channel satisfying a predetermined condition, further the selection means is caused to select output of the resulting receiving system for performing continuous reception operation. If no channel to be received is found, the control means controls to interchange the receiving system for performing continuous reception operation and the receiving system for performing channel search, and to perform a second composite operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2011Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinichi Murakami, Takatoshi Shirosugi
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Patent number: 8719859Abstract: A channel remapping pre-notification (RPN) message is transmitted in each of multiple frequencies prior to movement of data associated with one or more virtual channels to one or more different frequencies. The RPN message is also sent prior to transmission of a Virtual Channel Table (VCT) reflecting channel movement. If a receiving device is unable to find data associated with a selected channel subsequent to the channel movement, the stored RPN information can be used to identify a new frequency for that selected channel.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventor: Ross Gilson
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Patent number: 8692941Abstract: A receiving apparatus 10 efficiently receives radio waves used for wireless communication. Four sides of the periphery of a back cover 4 are bent inward. The reflector 5 formed of a metallic material is disposed on the bent portion on the inner side of a housing. When radio waves are transmitted from the front of the receiving apparatus 10, the radio waves are reflected by the reflector 5 disposed on the back cover 4 and are directed toward the inside of the housing. The directed radio waves are received by a radio module 3.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Shozo Horisawa
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Patent number: RE45257Abstract: In a broadcasting signal processor, an automatic channel memory device for determining whether a broadcasting signal is present in a channel tuned according to user's selection, and for automatically memorizing the tuned channel if a broadcasting signal is present in the tuned channel, is provided. A user's selected broadcasting channel can be accurately stored in a memory without using a separate memory button, thereby simplifying key operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2012Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Baik-Hee Han