Receiver (e.g., Set-top Box) Patents (Class 725/100)
  • Publication number: 20150046961
    Abstract: A method of processing a non-real time service of a broadcast receiver, which receives and processes a service being transmitted in non-real time, and a broadcast receiver are disclosed. Herein, the method of processing a non-real time service in a broadcast receiver includes receiving in non-real time first signaling information including access information of a content item and second signaling information including detail information of the content item, receiving in non-real time a file belonging to the content item by accessing to a FLUTE session transmitting the content item, wherein the file corresponds to a compressed file that has one or more files including an entry file compressed therein, and decompressing the compressed file and then executing the content item referring to information on the entry file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Jong Yeul SUH, Gomer THOMAS, Jin Pil KIM
  • Publication number: 20150046958
    Abstract: A communication apparatus capable of switching between videos to be each displayed on a reproduction apparatus based on video data subjected to streaming distribution, on a distributor side. A camera registers management information of a plurality of cameras capable of distributing images to a PC by streaming distribution in a camera management table. Selection of a camera that is to distribute images to the PC is received from a user on a camera selection screen of the camera. The camera management table is updated so as to distribute images from the selected camera to the PC. Upon receipt of a playlist acquisition request from the PC, the camera generates a playlist based on the updated camera management table, and sends the generated playlist to the PC as a response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Shunji FUJITA
  • Patent number: 8955015
    Abstract: One embodiment may take the form of an apparatus for providing separate user classifications and interfaces to multiple users of a set-top box of the television system. Each user classification may be configurable to provide different interfaces, menus and available features to the users of the set-top box. Further, each user classification may include several sub-classifications to further personalize the set-top box to the various users of the system. Also, each user classification may also monitor the habits and usage of each class and store such information for use by the set-top box to suggest settings of the set-top box that the user may be interested in, such as a favorite channel list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Bin Xu, William J. Ivanich
  • Patent number: 8955019
    Abstract: A network system in which a terminal apparatus, a recording apparatus, and a server apparatus are connectable via a network is disclosed. The server apparatus includes a service processing unit performing a service of reserving recording of a content to the recording apparatus by a request from the terminal apparatus, and an available service information provision unit managing information on the service available to the recording apparatus as available service information and transmitting the available service information to the terminal apparatus in response to a request from the terminal apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Kinoshita, Takashi Kanao, Hiroyuki Chiba, Tsuyoshi Honma, Hirofumi Kouda
  • Patent number: 8949911
    Abstract: A broadcast receiving device and a reporting method thereof are disclosed. If a request to purchase a pay service is received, a signal received from a remote control device within a preset reference time period is sensed before purchasing the pay service in order to determine whether the purchase is normal or abnormal, and a purchase questioning message according to the determined results is transmitted to a pre-registered contact number or an address of a user and a time display unit mounted on the broadcast receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Je-hun Sung
  • Patent number: 8949924
    Abstract: A multiplexed display apparatus and method for a digital broadcast receiver are provided. A multi-screen display apparatus for a digital broadcast receiver of the present invention includes a broadcast reception unit for receiving broadcast data of a primary service channel and at least one secondary service channel; a decoding unit comprising a video decoder for decoding video data of all types of video frame of the primary service channel and a predetermined type of video frame of the secondary service channel and an audio decoder for decoding audio data of a predetermined service channel, by time frame; a multiplexed screen processing unit for multiplexing the video data of the primary service channel and the at least one secondary service channel output by the decoding unit; a display unit for displaying the multiplexed video data in the form of multiplexed screen image; and a speaker unit for outputting the decoded audio data in the form of an audible sound wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Wireless Republic Group Inc.
    Inventors: Jeong Wook Seo, Jong Kerl Lee, Wei Jin Park
  • Patent number: 8949915
    Abstract: A method of providing video-on-demand content includes receiving a request from a set-top box, and determining the video-on-demand content is not stored locally. The request includes a content identifier for the video-on-demand content. The method further includes identifying a peer likely to have the video-on-demand content, receiving at least a first portion of the video-on-demand content from the peer, and providing the video-on-demand content to the set-top box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, LP
    Inventors: Kadangode Ramakrishnan, Vijay Gopalakrishnan
  • Publication number: 20150033271
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a method for receiving a broadcast service comprises the following steps: receiving service signaling data corresponding to a non-real-time service object; determining a consumption model for the non-real-time service object based on the service signaling data; if the consumption model of the non-real-time service object is determined as a trigger declarative object, receiving and storing the non-real-time service object according to a preset method; receiving a first packetized stream; extracting a trigger including a trigger action and a trigger time from a payload of the first packetized stream; and performing the trigger action for said stored non-real-time service object at the time designated by said trigger time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Joonhui Lee, Kwansuk Kim, Gomer Thomas, Sanghyun Kim, Jong Yeul Suh
  • Publication number: 20150033272
    Abstract: There are many boxes (e.g., set-top boxes) in a system offering media services to users. Each of the boxes maintains a library with a significant number of titles. Techniques for updating the library in each of these boxes using a transmission infrastructure are described. According to one aspect of the techniques, a service provider is provided with a high bandwidth broadcasting or multicasting capability, a release fragmented into a header and several segments is transmitted to all boxes that are respectively configured to receive a proper release package to update the library. Alternatively, separate release packages may be transmitted via different channels to the boxes, wherein each of the boxes is tuned to a proper channel to receive a proper release package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Prasanna Ganesan, Shahriyar Matloub, Tony Miranz, Alain Rossmann
  • Patent number: 8935732
    Abstract: A Dynamic Video Source Selection (DVSS) component that can be implemented in a physical or virtual STB that is capable of presenting a high quality service and consistent navigational paradigm to the viewer, while detecting, selecting, and presenting the best quality programming possible based upon the current position of the viewer's device within the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Geraint Jenkin, Marcus C. Liassides
  • Patent number: 8930491
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide media content events to media devices. An exemplary system receives a request for a media content event from a first media device; communicates the media content event to an edge server communicatively coupled to the first media device based on an identifier of the requesting media device; identifies a second media device based on preferred media content event characteristics associated with the second media device, wherein at least one media content event characteristic of the requested media content event corresponds to at least one of the preferred media content event characteristics of the second media device, and wherein the second media device is able to communicatively couple to the edge server; and in response to identifying the second media device, communicates an identifier of the second media device to the edge server, wherein the requested media content event is communicated to the second media device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Christofer Hardy
  • Patent number: 8930990
    Abstract: A method for displaying interactive advertisements on a television having a controller connected thereto and configured for receiving input from a viewer of the television is disclosed. The controller has a receiver operable to receive advertisements and a processor operable to modify the advertisements. The method generally comprises requesting action by the viewer of the television, modifying an advertisement based on the action of the viewer, and displaying the modified advertisement on the television.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Interval Licensing LLC
    Inventors: Malcolm Slaney, Bonnie M. Johnson, Annarosa Tomasi, Steven E. Saunders, J. Thomas Ngo, Gavin Miller, Michele M. Covell, Paul A. Freiberger
  • Patent number: 8930993
    Abstract: A system and method for presenting progressively downloaded media programs is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, obtaining an estimated length of a media program where the estimated length is based on a plurality of different reported lengths of the media program in reported media program information, presenting at a display device a portion of the media program while it is being delivered by a media delivery system via a progressive download, and enabling active trick play functions for the media program based on the estimated length of the media program until a true time index is generated using an index file at an end of the progressive download of the media program. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventor: Scott White
  • Patent number: 8930982
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a memory coupled to a processor. The processor can be operable to receive a request for promotional information responsive to a media processor detecting a promotional tag in a media program stream and transmit to the media processor promotional information associated with a promotion responsive to a determination that a promotional offer is available. The processor can also be operable to receive from the media processor a request for redeemable material associated with the promotion and store the redeemable material in a portion of a database associated with a user of the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Reuben Klein, Sreenivasa Gorti, Karen Mullis
  • Patent number: 8931020
    Abstract: Method for remote management of at least one audiovisual information reproduction device comprising a host server connected to each audiovisual information reproduction device, the host server comprising a database containing management information for each audiovisual information reproduction device, wherein the host server also comprises a site manager communicating with the database, and comprising a number of screens, at least one first screen comprising a menu displaying the list of audiovisual information reproduction systems, validating the choice of each audiovisual information reproduction device causing the display of a first series of screens that the operator can use to modify the operating parameters of at least one selected audiovisual information reproduction device and/or a second series of screens that the operator can use to order at least one song for downloading onto the audiovisual information reproduction systems from a chosen list of devices or to delete at least one song, and/or a thir
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation
    Inventors: Guy Nathan, Tony Mastronardi, Jean-Marc Bourdelais
  • Patent number: 8929942
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless communication device including: a cable port to which an external device is connected; a reading unit that reads identification information from the external device; a determination unit that determines whether the external device is the source-side wireless communication device; an authentication memory unit that performs an authentication process with the source-side wireless communication device; a wireless communication unit that performs a wireless communication with the source-side wireless communication device; and a physical address processing unit that controls the source-side wireless communication device to store a physical address of a source-side device calculated based on from the read identification information of the sink-side device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tomokazu Yuasa
  • Publication number: 20140380384
    Abstract: Video messaging may be provided. First, a bootstrap message including a system address may be transmitted by a high level device. A user device may receive the bootstrap message from the high level device and obtain system data from the system address contained in the received bootstrap message. The user device may then determine a service group in which the user device is deployed. Next, the user device may determine, from the obtained system data, a sub-system address corresponding to the determined service group. The user device may then obtain sub-system data from the sub-system address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: David Philip Turrie, Timothy C. Richards
  • Patent number: 8918825
    Abstract: A system for presenting media programming guides is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to transmit to a media source a request to access media content of a personal television (TV) channel composed by a subscriber of a media communication system, transmit to the media source a communication identifier, and receive from the media source media content in the personal TV channel adapted according to the communication identifier. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Ankur Mukerji, Charles V. Scott, Scott White
  • Patent number: 8918821
    Abstract: A client device includes a client-side proxy that is operable to receive server playlist data corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of video programs, to generate proxy playlist data corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of video programs based on the server playlist data and to send the proxy playlist data to the video player. In particular, the client-side proxy generates the proxy playlist data by translating the server playlist data from a first playlist format, such as a sliding window format of the HLS protocol, to a second playlist format, such as an event playlist format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Morega Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Losev, Thomas Walter Maxwell, Ashraf Tahir
  • Patent number: 8918827
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for providing complete Internet anywhere with partial server processing in which a request is sent from a set-top-box (STB) to a server communicatively coupled with the STB to process a portion of a web page that is unsupported by a web browser running on the STB. In one such method, the STB sends to the server an unsupported content request associated with a portion of a web page that is unsupported by a web browser executing on the STB. The STB receives a data stream from the server in response to the unsupported content request. The data stream was generated at the server by processing the unsupported portion of the web page. The STB composites the received data stream with another portion of the web page, that is supported by the web browser, to produce the web page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Marcus Kellerman, Xuemin Chen, Vladimir Silyaev, David Erickson
  • Publication number: 20140373057
    Abstract: An electronic device with one or more processors, memory and a display receives a first request to display a first video stream that corresponds to a first channel in a predetermined sequence of channels. In response to the first request, the device displays the first video stream. While displaying the first video stream, the device receives a second request to display a second video stream that corresponds to a second channel in the predetermined sequence of channels and is separated from the first channel by one or more intervening channels. In response to receiving the second request, the device displays at least a portion of the first video stream concurrently with at recently received content of one or more of the intervening channels and displays recently received content of one or more of the intervening channels concurrently with least a portion of the second video stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: Spotify AB
    Inventors: Eric HOFFERT, Mike Berkley, Kevin Faaborg, Gustav Saderstrom
  • Patent number: 8914839
    Abstract: A system and method are described for providing interactive television services and for switching between television programs, such as to an interactive program session from another program. An interactive server, capable of providing requested interactive video services to a set of subscribers in a given geographic area, is coupled to a network to which subscriber set top boxes are also coupled. Television programming, which may be furnished by any number of sources, is accompanied by a signal that indicates the availability of other programming, such as interactive television service related to the program being viewed, as well as information to be used in requesting such service. The user, when notified by this signal, may input to the set top box a request for a second program, such as an interactive program or application. The identity of the original program channel is stored, and a session with the video service provider is established over the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Wayne R. Howe, Fred Thomas Danner, III, John R. Mauney
  • Patent number: 8910218
    Abstract: An approach is provided for controlling one or more set-top boxes. Communications is established among a plurality of set-top boxes. One of the set-top boxes is designated as a master set-top box that is configured to control one or more of remaining ones of the set-top boxes. A control message is generated to configure the remaining ones of the set-top boxes as child set-top boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Sangchai Tirasirikul, Rajesh Gopal
  • Patent number: 8910200
    Abstract: A system, device and method for service insertion during a video display. A client device detects a video request input, and in response, selects and initiates an advanced service asset while the player buffers the requested video data. The output of the player is displayed in a background field while the media display data of the advanced service asset is displayed in a foreground field. The player display data may be brought to the foreground after a preset time or when the player is ready to display the requested video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Rogers Communications Inc.
    Inventor: Luojun Jin
  • Patent number: 8910219
    Abstract: A method includes receiving at a set-top box device first video content associated with a requested channel from a first source. The method includes, in response to receiving the first content, requesting second video content associated with the requested channel from a second source. The method includes, in response to receiving the second video content, determining whether at least one data packet associated with the requested channel was not received based on a comparison of first data packets corresponding to the first video content and second data packets corresponding to the second video content. In response to a determination that at least one data packet was not received, sending a retry request to the first source. The retry request includes an overhead bandwidth factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Kuo-Hui Liu, Yongdong Zhao
  • Patent number: 8909776
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system of pause and replay of media content through bookmarks on a server device are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of a server device includes authenticating a user of a client device, communicating a media content to the client device through a network, processing a pause request of the client device to pause the media content, storing a bookmark location indicating a current playback location of the media content in the client device on the server device, processing a play request of the user to play the media content from the bookmark location (e.g., the play request may be received from a different client device of the user), and communicating the media content from the bookmark location to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventors: Arun Kalmanje, Sachin Gupta
  • Patent number: 8909754
    Abstract: A system and method support the exchange of media between friends, family members, and 3rd party media providers over a closed and secure media exchange network. The media may include, for example, digital video, digital audio, digital images, digital data, or any form of digital information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Jeyhan Karaoguz, James D. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20140359684
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a client terminal and an operation method of a client terminal, a transmission server and an operation method of a transmission server, and a program, whereby manufacturing costs, developing costs, and maintenance costs can be reduced for a television receiver which is a client terminal, regarding a configuration for distribution of contents from multiple service providers. An application (program) 111 capable of operating on a browser 91 presents VoD contents which it can select itself, based on control information, and requests a VoD server 72 for distribution of VoD contents selected out of the presented VoD contents via a first network which is a bidirectional IP network. In response, a headend 12 which is a transmission server supplies to a client terminal 13 via a second network of which downstream transmission band has sufficient band for transmission of contents. The present technology can be applied to an IPTV distribution system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuaki Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 8904468
    Abstract: A set-top box (STB) of a television system receives web-based content, such as a web page, from a wide area network such as the Internet. The web-based content is provided to the STB for display. In response to an instruction, the STB provides all or a portion of the web-based content to a printer for printing. The printer can be connected to the STB via a network or through a computer connected to the STB on the same network. By providing an option to print the web-based content, the usefulness of the content is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Ahmad C. Ansari, Pierre Costa
  • Patent number: 8904456
    Abstract: The present invention relates to broadcasting/multicasting of media content over a communication network using shared bandwidth available from peer-to-peer networking. The system of the present invention includes a plurality of broadcast devices, a plurality of receiving devices, a plurality of databases, and a control center. The control center is the central nerve of the network, and provides a number of services, including but not limited to channel control, ad insertion, conditional access, program guide services, and the like. The broadcast device converts media content, which can be television, radio, and other data, received from various content providers, into digital data packets, having a suitable format for transmission over the Internet. Each receiving device will request the relevant packets, decode the received packets, and display or present the media content contained in the packets via an associated device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: TVU Networks Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Shen, Jay Shen
  • Patent number: 8902241
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a graphics/video processor includes a memory controller. The memory controller includes a first arbiter that receives memory client requests to access a memory device, and a first memory buffer coupled to the first arbiter. The first arbiter stores client requests that are selected by the first arbiter. The memory controller also includes a second arbiter coupled to the first memory buffer and a second memory buffer coupled to the second arbiter. The second arbiter receives requests from the memory client requests stored in the first memory buffer. The second memory buffer stores the client requests selected by the second arbiter. Further, the memory controller includes a third arbiter coupled to the second memory buffer. The third arbiter provides access of the memory device to the client requests stored in the second memory buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: CSR Technology Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Auld, Bruce K. Holmer, Hong-Jyeh Jason Huang, Gerard K. Yeh
  • Patent number: 8904450
    Abstract: A system and method for establishing and provisioning a new Internet Video Link (IVL) category under user control and utilizing user requests for locating and including preferred video content. The new IVL category will include video content located on a local device as well as video content retrieved from any interne URL provided by a user. The IVL category is built in the background and contains a category as a directory of video content and channels as sub-directories containing subsets of the video content described by the category. The user may also input keywords for use in searching for preferred video content so as to establish a mix of video content concatenated into a single mix channel for use in viewing only those video content items associated with the keywords supplied by the user. Alternatively, the mix channel may be provisioned by locating and mixing together video content that has similar metadata tags associated with the user preferred video content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: True Xiong
  • Patent number: 8896764
    Abstract: A system and method for effectively performing a remote control configuration procedure includes a settop box that receives electronic programming from a program source and a television that is configured to reproduce the electronic programming. A remote control device controls various functionalities of the television over an RC-TV communications link. The remote control configuration procedure is coordinated by the television and a configuration server to allow the remote control device to also control various functionalities of the settop box over an RC-STB communication link. The television and the configuration server support a user-friendly interactive procedure to automatically determine and provide certain settop-box control information for adding appropriate settop-box control functions to the remote control device during the remote control configuration procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Steven Richman
  • Publication number: 20140344871
    Abstract: A video-on-demand system including a video server storing video-on-demand content and for streaming video-on-demand through a first layer of an internet page having a first layer and a second layer; and a controller for causing there to be formed in the second layer a plurality of selectable overlay images such that a user at a location in communication with the internet remote from the video server and the controller can display streamed video-on-demand of the first layer in combination with the overlay images of the second layer and can select one of the overlay images; wherein the overlay images correspond to respective control functions for the video-on-demand stream; and the controller is responsive to selection of an overlay image to change the video-on-demand stream in accordance with the corresponding respective control function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Martin, Hans-Peter Foetschl
  • Patent number: 8893197
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are described for providing media content to a plurality of set-top boxes (“STBs”) over a licensed spectrum and over an unlicensed spectrum. In an aspect, each of the plurality of STBs might comprise a first transceiver configured to receive media content or data over a licensed spectrum and a second transceiver configured to receive and send media content or data over an unlicensed spectrum. The first STB of the plurality of STBs might receive a first portion of the media content at the first transceiver and receive a second portion of the media content at the second transceiver from a second STB of the plurality of STBs. The plurality of STBs might query each other to determine available frequencies and/or bandwidth, and might store results of the query in a table in local memory or in a database accessible by all of the plurality of STBs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Misbah ur Rehman, Steven M. Casey, Kevin M. McBride, Felipe Castro
  • Patent number: 8887207
    Abstract: A system and method for remotely transcoding content includes a set top box generating a playlist corresponding to content titles stored in a memory of the set top box. A user device is in communication with the cloud location and the set top box through a network. The user device reviews the playlist and selects a first content title from the playlist to form a selection. The cloud location includes a transcoder device transcoding content corresponding to the selection to form transcoded content. One of the cloud location and the set top box communicates the transcoded content to the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Khader B. Syed, Michael J. Koehlein, Scott D. Casavant, Sean S. Lee, Kuriacose Joseph, Jorge H. Guzman
  • Patent number: 8881213
    Abstract: In embodiments, apparatuses, methods and storage media are described that are associated with determination of frame alignment. In embodiments, a similarity value matrix may be determined representing similarity values for pairs of frames from two pieces of video content. An alignment score matrix may be determined from the similarity scores. Multiple sets of frames may be selected from the two pieces of video content and alignment score matrices determined for each set. From these alignment score matrices, an alignment of frames may be determined. In embodiments, a Needleman-Wunsch process may be used to compute alignment scores as well as to compute alignments based on alignment score matrices. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes P. Schmidt, Leslie Harris Francis
  • Patent number: 8878994
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a first receiver, a screen transmitter, a second receiver and a controller. The first receiver receives first information associated with a display function of an external device. The screen transmitter generates an operation screen for operating the apparatus based on the first information, and transmits a video signal of the generated operation screen to the external device. The second receiver receives second information associated with content of an operation on the operation screen from the external device. The controller controls operation of the apparatus based on the second information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takahiro Arai, Eita Shuto
  • Patent number: 8881197
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing augmented broadcast content. The apparatus includes: a broadcast content receiving unit configured to receive broadcast content and a first reference signal from a broadcast content provider, the first reference signal including information used to recognize a target object in the broadcast content and composite the broadcast content and augmented content associated with the target object; an object identifying unit configured to identify the target object in the broadcast content by analyzing the broadcast content using an image or sound analysis algorithm with reference to the first reference signal; an augmented content acquiring unit configured to acquire the augmented content associated with the target object; and an augmented content compositing unit configured to composite the acquired augmented content into an augmentation region determined based on the first reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Bum-Suk Choi, Jeoung-Lak Ha, Soon-Choul Kim, Jung-Hak Kim, Young-Ho Jeong, Jin-Woo Hong
  • Patent number: 8881210
    Abstract: A communication system and a family of methods for remote access to personal television service are disclosed. According to this invention, a remote personal TV service center provides centralized program guide information. A user may access to the personal TV service center through a digital video recorder which is connected to the personal TV service center via telephone modem or a network server. A user may access to the personal TV service center through a remote computer terminal or a personal digital assistant which is connected to a computer network. The user selects program events and programs the digital video recorder by using a graphical user interface installed in the front panel of the digital video recorder in case of local programming, or using a similar GUI which is incorporated into the Web pages presented to remote users by a Web server in case of remote programming. The media stream stored in one digital video recorder may be transferred to another digital video recorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Barton, David C. Platt
  • Publication number: 20140325565
    Abstract: A client system obtains video content data from a remote system and obtains or determines corresponding video time data. Additionally, the client system obtains contextual content data and corresponding contextual time data from a remote system. The client system identifies portions of the contextual content data that are temporally related to portions of the video content data based on the contextual time data and the video time data. Further, the client system displays a portion of the video content data on the display device. Additionally, based on results of the identifying, while displaying the portion of the video content data on the display device, the client system also displays, alongside the portion of the video content data, a portion of the contextual content data that is relevant to the portion of the video content data being displayed on the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Preetinderpal Singh Mangat, Peter Duyen Hung Hoang, Daniel Frank, Shannon Yen Yun Lee, Joshua Trusz, Sang Young Park, Daniel Daigle, Helen Joan Hem Lam, William Michael Mozell, David Seymour, Michael James Perzel, Jiageng Tian
  • Patent number: 8875205
    Abstract: A mobile video device includes a transceiver module that receives navigation data corresponding to a plurality of video programs including at least one unicast video program and at least one multicast video program, that transmits selection data and that receives a video signal in response thereto. An interface module receives interface data in response to actions of a user. A video display device generates a selection display based on selection display data in a video selection mode and that generates a video display in a video display mode based on the video signal. A video application module generates the selection display data based on navigation data, that generates selection data based on user interface data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Quigley, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Sherman (Xuemin) Chen, Michael Dove, David Rosmann, Stephen E. Gordon
  • Patent number: 8875201
    Abstract: A method, a device and a system for implementing seeking play of stream media are provided. The method for implementing seeking play of stream media includes: sending a seeking play request to a stream media server; receiving preview key frames for seeking play sent from the stream media server according to a predefined buffer capacity range and storing the preview key frames for seeking play; displaying the preview key frames for seeking play; and initiating a stream media play according to preview key frames selected by a seeking of a user. This invention can improve the seeking operation experience of the user, control the downloading time of the extracted program, and reduce requirements of storage capability of the stream media terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hua Li, Yunsong Fan
  • Patent number: 8875175
    Abstract: A digital video viewing system including methods for user selection of video advertisement content and time of display of video advertisements during a live video content stream. The digital video viewing system includes modules for receiving, evaluating and transmitting data within the digital video viewing system and to Internet protocol content providers. Also shown are methods for recording and re-playing live internet protocol content in conjunction with the video advertisement display methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Network Entertainment International LLC
    Inventors: Charles McCoy, True Xiong, Stewart Stremler
  • Patent number: 8875197
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer products for mosaics of live views of traffic via Internet Protocol Television. Exemplary embodiments include a network-based method for providing traffic views, the method including receiving a request to display a traffic views mosaic on a communications device, retrieving traffic views data and providing the traffic views data to the communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellecutal Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: David DeLorme
  • Publication number: 20140317649
    Abstract: A hybrid system is described which allows an Internet Protocol (IP) set-top box to receive broadcast media content from a broadcast delivery infrastructure and on-demand media content from an IP delivery infrastructure. The broadcast delivery infrastructure can generate a quadrature amplitude modulated (QAM) signal, while the IP delivery infrastructure can generate an IP-based signal. The system uses a format converter to convert the QAM signal into a rights-protected signal expressed in an IP-compatible format. The format converter can be implemented as an OpenCable Unidirectional Receiver (OCUR) device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Gagan Arora, Prasad V.R. Panchangam
  • Patent number: 8869225
    Abstract: A host includes a plurality of Digital Visual Interface (DVI) ports. A controller is configured to receive a single DVI diagnostic request from a source external to the host, wherein the controller is further configured to collect DVI status information associated with each of the plurality of DVI ports in response to the single DVI diagnostic request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kwang Hun Kwon, Sang Hoon Cha
  • Patent number: 8869216
    Abstract: A method of processing a non-real time service of a broadcast receiver, which receives and processes a service being transmitted in non-real time, and a broadcast receiver are disclosed. Herein, the method of processing a non-real time service in a broadcast receiver includes receiving in non-real time first signaling information including access information of a content item and second signaling information including detail information of the content item, receiving in non-real time a file belonging to the content item by accessing to a FLUTE session transmitting the content item, wherein the file corresponds to a compressed file that has one or more files including an entry file compressed therein, and decompressing the compressed file and then executing the content item referring to information on the entry file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Yeul Suh, Gomer Thomas, Jin Pil Kim
  • Patent number: 8869224
    Abstract: One embodiment takes the form of an apparatus or method for generating and transmitting distribution system commands addressed by a general identification, such as a customer-specific identification. The general identification may take the form of a customer number or any other identifier unique to a customer account. The identifier may be stored in the computer-readable memory of several or all of the set-top boxes associated with a particular customer such that commands addressed with the unique identifier may be decrypted and executed by the set-top boxes. Thus, a single command addressed with the customer identification may be received and executed by several or all of the set-top boxes for a particular customer without the need for addressing the command to each set-top box individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Nicholas B. Newell
  • Patent number: 8863223
    Abstract: A system is provided in which IP or media content residing on or being streamed to a mobile phone is forwarded to a display. The media content supports a native resolution of the mobile phone that is significantly smaller than a native resolution of said display. The system has media content processing circuitry, which up-scales the media content to the display native resolution. The system forwards the up-scaled media content to the display, whereby the display provides the up-scaled media content to a viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: MV3 Partners LLC
    Inventor: Jared E. Abbruzzese