Receiver (e.g., Set-top Box) Patents (Class 725/100)
  • Patent number: 8655156
    Abstract: In one method embodiment, providing a multiplex of compressed versions of a first video stream and a first audio stream, each corresponding to an audiovisual (A/V) program, the first video stream and the first audio stream each corresponding to a first playout rate and un-synchronized with each other for an initial playout portion; and providing a compressed version of a second audio stream, the second audio stream corresponding to a pitch-preserving, second playout rate different than the first playout rate, the second audio stream synchronized to the initial playout portion of the first video stream when the first video stream is played out at the second playout rate, the first audio stream replaceable by the second audio stream for the initial playout portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali C. Begen, Tankut Akgul, Michael A. Ramalho, David R. Oran, William C. Ver Steeg
  • Patent number: 8650603
    Abstract: When the user initiates the retrieval of the primary content information item by means of entering a user input into the data processing system, e.g. zapping a digital TV that switches channels upon receipt of the user input, he/she has to wait a noticeable time before the rendering and play-out of the primary content information item actually starts. The length of the delay is predicted, on the basis of which one or more secondary content items are rendered and played out to the user during this delay. The invention can also be used for bridging the waiting time in an online ordering system, when loading a program on a personal computer, and in an IMS-based IPTV network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignees: Koninklijke KPN N.V., Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Peter-Jan Doets, Anton Havekes, Robert-Ernst Kooij, Martin Prins, Victor Klos, Hans Maarten Stokking
  • Patent number: 8646009
    Abstract: In response to a request from a playback apparatus over a network to play back content, a first recording/playback apparatus transmits data indicating content satisfying the request to the playback apparatus over the network. When selecting desired content from the transmitted data, the playback apparatus requests the first recording/playback apparatus to transmit data of the selected content to the playback apparatus over the network. When the data of the desired content is transmitted to the playback apparatus from the first recording/playback apparatus over the network in response to the request, the content being transmitted is played back via streaming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Narahara, Sho Murakoshi, Shunji Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 8646014
    Abstract: A system and method that provide reduced latency in a video signal processing system. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise transmitting a first video information stream representative of a unit of video information. For example, the transmitted first video information stream may correspond to a video channel. A second video information stream representative of the unit of video information may be transmitted simultaneously with the first video information stream. The second video information stream may also, for example, correspond to the video channel. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise receiving a plurality of simultaneously transmitted video information streams. A video information stream of the plurality of received video information streams may be identified that, when processed, is expected to result in the lowest latency in presenting the unit of video information to the user. The identified video information stream may then be so processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander MacInnis
  • Patent number: 8646012
    Abstract: A system, method, and web-based application platform enabling a television viewer to utilize an Internet device to request a Video-On-Demand (VOD) server to stream a selected video to the viewer's Set Top Box (STB). An Internet Protocol (IP) connection is established between the Internet device and an application executing at a web site, and an Internet device identifier is passed to the application. The application communicates with the VOD server to obtain a listing of available videos, and provides the listing to the Internet device. When the viewer selects a video, the application accesses an equipment-mapping table, which associates the Internet device identifier with an STB identifier. The application then sends the STB identifier and a request for the selected video to the VOD server, which delivers the video to the STB over a television delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ericsson Television Inc
    Inventors: Alan Rouse, Charles Dasher
  • Patent number: 8640176
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus, method, and computer programs for obtaining content from a communications network. One aspect of the disclosure includes: storing an aggregator on a Set Top Box (STB) associated with a television set, wherein the aggregator is adapted to obtain content corresponding to a plurality of feeds from a communications network; displaying the plurality of feeds on the television set in response to a first input received by the STB; accepting at the STB a selection of at least one feed from the plurality of feeds; obtaining content from the communications network corresponding to the selected at least one feed; and providing the obtained content for display on the television set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Jerald Robert Howcroft
  • Patent number: 8640155
    Abstract: A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Pil Kim, C. Gomer Thomas
  • Patent number: 8626923
    Abstract: A system providing search functionality supporting the exchange and consumption of media is disclosed. The searching of media on storage belonging to any of a pre-defined group of users of a personal media network is provided. In addition, media stored on designated servers may also be included in a search. The media stored may include audio, still images, video, and data. A user may search the stored media using a number of criteria including the time period of the media, the type of device, and the type of media. The system also provides support for the search of one or more media peripherals, which may be searched when the media peripherals are communicatively coupled to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Jeyhan Karaoguz, James D. Bennett
  • Patent number: 8627387
    Abstract: Logical content is defined by start/end times into a VoD media offering. The calculation of byte-range markers corresponding to the start/end times is distributed among the STBs to first request the particular logical content. Upon receiving an initial request for a logical content offering, an IPTV AS returns a VoD media file URL, start/end times, and null values of byte-range markers corresponding to the start/end times. In response to the null values, the initially-requesting STB downloads the entire VoD media file from a Download Media Server, and calculates the byte-range markers by comparing the start/end times to timestamps in non-encrypted headers in the VoD media file. The non-null byte-range markers are transmitted back to the IPTV AS, which provides them to STBs subsequently requesting the same logical content. The subsequently-requesting STBs may download only the logical content by providing the non-null byte-range markers to the Download Media Server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Sorin Marian Georgescu
  • Patent number: 8620207
    Abstract: A wireless cellular or other device to control distribution and presentation of audio, video, or combined audio and video content transmitted from a content server and delivered to at least one contiguous device at substantially the same time. The cellular device sends control signals via various wireless communication protocols based upon user input. The control signals are sent to a content server attached to a TCP/IP network. The wireless cellular device and the content server interact through a request and reply interface, located within the wireless cellular device, based on inputs from the wireless device user. Content available for transmission from the content server is displayed and subsequently selected by the user. Separate audio and video content may be distributed to individually distinct rendering devices contiguous to and selected by the user. During or after the content is transmitted, the user may interact with the content through the wireless cellular device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Michael D. Harold
  • Patent number: 8619822
    Abstract: A system and method of generating an output signal includes a receiving system generating a plurality of signals having a first format, an encoder 162 encoding the plurality of signals into a plurality of transport streams and a multiplexer 210. The system also includes a local area network 130 routing the plurality of transport streams to the multiplexer 210 to form a combined signal, a modulator 214 modulating the combined signal to form a modulated signal and a system 202 forming the output signal from the modulated signal. In one aspect, the output signals may be satellite uplink signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Munsell, Hanno Basse, Daniel M. Miner, Mitchell B. Wasden
  • Patent number: 8621535
    Abstract: A control apparatus accepts a request for transmission of a content from a content transmission apparatus to the control apparatus, passes on the request to the content transmission apparatus by way of a communication network allowing a transmission quality to be reserved, and issues a request to a content accounting server to carry out a content accounting process according to the substance and content quality. The control apparatus receives a specified substance of the content and transmits a request to the content transmission apparatus to transmit the content, determines a transmission quality and an optimum content quality, makes a reservation for the determined transmission quality of a transmission line based on the transmission quality, and issues a request to a transmission-quality accounting server to carry out an accounting process according to the transmission quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Kure
  • Patent number: 8613037
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems for managing the reception and/or recording of video content on a wireless digital video recorder. In certain embodiments, the wireless digital video recorder comprises a wireless phone with video reception and video recording capabilities. One set of embodiments provides a reception manager for managing the reception of video content by the wireless digital video recorder. Merely by way of example, embodiments of the present invention may provide for monitoring of the signal strength of broadcast video content, and certain embodiments may provide for receiving and displaying information concerning video content available to the wireless digital video recorder. Other embodiments of the present invention may provide for the management of recording and/or storing video content on the wireless digital video recorder e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven M. Casey
  • Patent number: 8613015
    Abstract: Methods and systems for presentation of content through an interface to provide personalized video feeds to a user. A video feed is harvested from feed items gathered at various Internet sources. The feed items are filtered to remove those that do not link to video content. A criteria specified by the user is used to filter the feed items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Frequency IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Michael M. Gordon, Blair R. R. Harrison, Adrian K. Roston
  • Patent number: 8613011
    Abstract: A services gateway includes a processor configured to send a request for a video-on-demand content, receive a first content stream from a video-on-demand content server, and process the first content stream to retrieve the video-on-demand content. The first content stream includes the video-on-demand content and is protected with a first digital rights management scheme. The processor is further configured to encode the video-on-demand content in a second content stream, and provide the second content stream over a local area network to a playback device. The second content stream is protected with a second digital rights management scheme. In an embodiment, the processor can be further configured to store the video-on-demand content in a mass storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: John Alson Hicks, III, Nicholas S. Huslak
  • Patent number: 8601517
    Abstract: A method for reestablishing presentation of a paused media program is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Set-Top Box (STB) located in a building can have a controller element that presents a media program to a media device operable only in the building, pauses presentation of the media program responsive to a pause request, generates a departure mark that identifies a presentation point in the media program associated with the pause request, receives a request to resume presentation of the media program from the departure mark at a portable communication device capable of maintaining communications with the STB outside the building, and transmits to the portable communication device a presentation of the media program from the departure mark. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventor: Juan Cordoba
  • Patent number: 8595775
    Abstract: A system and method of accessing digital video broadcasts within an information handling system is disclosed. In one form, a digital video broadcast processing system can include a digital video broadcast receiver module operable to process a first digital video broadcast data received within a multiple channel digital video broadcast signal and to output the first digital video broadcast data to an interconnect bus of a computer system. The digital video broadcast processing system can also include a communication interface operable to be removeably coupled to an interconnect bus interface of the computer system. The communication interface can be operable to communicate the first digital video broadcast data, including an interconnect dependent data format, from the digital video broadcast receiver module to a digital video processing application of the computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Dell Products, LP
    Inventors: Alan E. Sicher, Shree Dandekar, Subramanian Jayaram, James Clardy, Sowmya Swaminathan
  • Patent number: 8594575
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for minimizing co-channel interference in communications systems are disclosed. A method in accordance with the present invention comprises shifting a characteristic of the first signal with respect to a like characteristic of the second signal to mitigate co-channel interference, and transmitting the first signal and the second signal over different channels of the communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Santoru, Ernest C. Chen, Shamik Maitra, Dennis Lai, Guangcai Zhou, Tung-Sheng Lin
  • Patent number: 8589548
    Abstract: A system supporting the remote management of options related to media consumption in a media exchange network is disclosed. Such a system may comprise a set top box communicatively coupled to a television display and storage. The set top box may be used for the consumption of media via a communication network. In such an embodiment, server software may enable the remote modification, via a communication network, of options related to the consumption of media by a user of the set top box. The media consumed may be one or more of digital audio, a digital still image, digital video, and digital data. Other aspects of the present invention may be seen in a personal computer monitor and personal computer circuitry, communicatively coupled to a storage and a communication network. An embodiment of the present invention may also enable the modification of TV viewing options via a telephone voice response system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Jeyhan Karaoguz, James D. Bennett
  • Patent number: 8588249
    Abstract: Multicast information contained in a request from an IP TV set top box for video content to an IGMP manager is passed to an SA processor to perform a lookup of an SA table. A result of the lookup is the frequency of the downstream legacy channel over which the requested content is being delivered from an edge QAM device. The SA processor instructs a legacy QAM tuner to tune the determined frequency. The IGMP manager selects packets corresponding to the request content based on a program identifier that is associated with the multicast address in the SA table. As selected packets are received by the IGMP manager, multicast address information is placed into them, and they are passed on from the manager to the IP TV set top box. The IP TV set top box receives the requested content packets based on the multicast address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian Wheelock
  • Patent number: 8590000
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems for receiving and recording video content on a wireless phone. Merely by way of example, one set of embodiments provides a wireless phone with the capability to receive a broadcast video signal and to decode, digitize and record the broadcast video signal. In other embodiments, the wireless phone has the capability to receive broadcast video signals and/or video signals streamed over a network and to record these signals. In still further embodiments, the wireless phone may receive video content transmitted over a wireless network and may format and/or encode the video content and record the video content. In some embodiments the wireless phone comprises a video player for playing video content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven M. Casey
  • Patent number: 8584181
    Abstract: An initiating viewer identifies a multimedia channel and submits a request to share the multimedia channel with at least one recipient viewer at another viewer premises. This request is processed by the multimedia receiver of the initiating viewer so as to generate a channel change request for submission to a service provider. In response to the channel share request, the service provider queries the recipient viewer to determine whether the recipient viewer accepts or rejects the offered multimedia channel. If the recipient viewer accepts the multimedia channel, the multimedia channel can be provided to the multimedia receiver of the recipient viewer either for storage for later playback or for immediate playback concurrent with the provision of the multimedia channel to the initiating viewer. Billing for costs associated with the shared multimedia channel is conducted based on billing feedback provided by the initiating viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, LP
    Inventor: Moshiur Rahman
  • Patent number: 8584190
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving broadcasting data and supplementary data. The method includes: generating broadcasting data and supplementary data for a plurality of predetermined 3D broadcasting services to be provided to users; multiplexing the generated broadcasting data for broadcasting channels respectively allocated to the plurality of predetermined 3D broadcasting services, and multiplexing the generated supplementary data for one commonly broadcasting channel commonly allocated to the plurality of predetermined 3D broadcasting services; encoding the multiplexed supplementary data corresponding to a conditional access system; and transmitting the encoded supplementary data to the one common broadcasting channel, and transmitting the multiplexed broadcasting data to the allocated broadcasting channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Bong-Ho Lee, Hyun Lee, Gwang-Soon Lee, Yong-Hoon Lee, Namho Hur, Kwanghee Jung, Soo-In Lee
  • Patent number: 8584188
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and a method for displaying, among other things, call status information associated with one or more communication devices on a television. In one embodiment, an integrated set top box is disclosed that includes a memory component for storing computer executable instructions; a data storage unit for storing data associated with at least one monitored communication device; a communication interface in communication with a cable head end for receiving communication data associated with the monitored communication device and television media content; a decoder for decoding the television media content; and a processing unit for executing the computer executable instructions to generate a user interface using the communication data to depict a call status associated with the monitored communication device on a television couple to the set top box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventor: Shekhar Gupta
  • Patent number: 8578434
    Abstract: The present invention is an integrated cable modem tuner. In one embodiment, the upstream path and the downstream path are integrated on a common semiconductor substrate. The down-stream path can include a TV tuner and digital receiver portion that is integrated on a common semiconductor substrate with the power amplifier of the upstream path. In another embodiment, the TV tuner is implemented on a first semiconductor substrate and the digital receiver portion and the power amplifier are configured on a second semiconductor substrate. However, the two substrates are mounted on a common carrier so that the cable modem appears to be a single chip configuration to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Donald G. McMullin, Lawrence M. Burns, Leonard Dauphinee, Ramon A. Gomez, Loke Tan
  • Patent number: 8572667
    Abstract: A host device interfacing with a point of deployment (POD) and a method of processing digital video recorder (DVR) status information are disclosed. A storage device records contents. A communication unit transmits/receives data over a network. A controller collects information associated with the storage of the contents, updates DVR status information on the basis of the collected information, and transmits the updated DVR status information via the communication unit when a request for the DVR status information is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: In Moon Kim
  • Patent number: 8566894
    Abstract: A system for the distribution of media is disclosed. The system comprises a network center; a delivery system for receiving data from and transmitting data to the network center; and a plurality of multimedia teller machines (MTMs) for receiving data from the delivery system, and for providing a plurality of gigablocks, wherein the gigablocks provide for secure and/or high bandwidth data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventor: Scott W. Lewis
  • Patent number: 8566889
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a control apparatus for accepting a request for transmission of a content from a content transmission apparatus to the control apparatus and for passing on the request to the content transmission apparatus by way of a communication network allowing a transmission quality to be reserved and for issuing a request to a content accounting server to carry out a content accounting process according to the substance and content quality wherein the control apparatus: receives a specified substance and quality of the content and transmits a request to the content transmission apparatus to transmit the content; determines a transmission quality on the basis of the specified content quality and makes a reservation for the determined transmission quality of a transmission line on the basis of the transmission quality; and issues a request to a transmission-quality accounting server to carry out an accounting process according to the transmission quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Kure
  • Patent number: 8566870
    Abstract: A high definition television (HDTV) is capable of displaying one or more streams. Typical stream changing is accomplished by freshly determining the stream settings (frame rate, resolution, refresh method) as each stream is detected, resulting in slow to tortuously slow stream surfing. Here, the HDTV stream settings are stored in a list of present streams, so that stream surfing may continue at much higher rates without redetermining the stream settings with each stream change. The improved stream surfing may be turned on or off at user discretion. Additionally, individual streams, as well as other audio/video inputs may also be edited to user-desired stream settings by accepting user inputs. The HDTV may automatically detect HDTV settings for each currently tuned stream of a list of potential streams, or may download the HDTV setting for a specific location of the HDTV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Matsubayashi
  • Patent number: 8566395
    Abstract: In the field of media transmission technologies, a method and an apparatus for transmitting Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) media are provided, which solve a problem that a specific capability mode to be used cannot be determined when both a server and a client have enhanced functions. In the method and system for transmitting the HTTP media, the respective information of HTTP streaming media capabilities supported by the server and by the client are obtained. According to the obtained information of the HTTP streaming media capabilities supported by the server and supported by the client, the HTTP streaming media capability used by the server or the client in a subsequent media transmission procedure is determined. The server provides media services according to the determined HTTP streaming media capability; or the client obtains the media services according to the determined HTTP streaming media capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teng Shi, Yuanyuan Zhang, Peiyu Yue, Weizhong Yuan, Guangyuan Liu, Renzhou Zhang, Yonghui Tian, Chuxiong Zhang
  • Patent number: 8561121
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a video terminal device having a processor adapted to submit a query to a mobile device to determine whether to redirect one or more mobile messages destined for the mobile device to the video terminal device, receive from the mobile device an affirmative response to the query, transmit a request to a wireless carrier system to redirect transmission of the one or more mobile messages to the video terminal device, receive from the wireless carrier system the one or more mobile messages while the mobile device remains communicatively coupled to the video terminal device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Edward Walter, Michael Raftelis, John Kirby
  • Patent number: 8561120
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a control device (1) provided for smart card readers (SCR), a smart card reading activation device (2) and associated products including a set-top box and a daisy chain. The control device comprises means for communicating (11) with at least two smart card reading devices (SCR3, SCR4, SCR5), means for processing (12) information received from those reading devices and means for activating (13) at least one of those reading devices for a current communication. The activating means are intended to send selection data (SD) towards all those reading devices, those selection data enabling each of the reading devices to determine if it is selected or not for the current communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventors: Patrick Will, Olivier Horr
  • Patent number: 8555312
    Abstract: An initiating viewer identifies a multimedia channel and submits a request to share the multimedia channel with at least one recipient viewer at another viewer premises. This request is processed by the multimedia receiver of the initiating viewer so as to generate a channel change request for submission to a service provider. In response to the channel share request, the service provider queries the recipient viewer to determine whether the recipient viewer accepts or rejects the offered multimedia channel. If the recipient viewer accepts the multimedia channel, the multimedia channel can be provided to the multimedia receiver of the recipient viewer either for storage for later playback or for immediate playback concurrent with the provision of the multimedia channel to the initiating viewer. Billing for costs associated with the shared multimedia channel is conducted based on billing feedback provided by the initiating viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, LP
    Inventor: Moshiur Rahman
  • Patent number: 8549560
    Abstract: A method according to the present disclosure comprises displaying a program in a first format on a first television channel to a user and automatically displaying a message to the user indicating that the program is available in a second format on a second television channel. The message may be displayed on the first television channel while the program in the first format is being displayed. Additionally, the automatic displaying of the message may be unprompted by the user. In certain embodiments, the user may be provided the option to purchase the program in the second format if the second format is not within the user's subscription.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Shekhar Gupta, Michael Aaron Roberts, Krishnakumar K. Bhaskarankutty Nair
  • Patent number: 8539535
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting video on demand requests in a system supporting hierarchical content stores, e.g., program caches, is described. Requested content is requested by a local streaming device from a remote cache when it is not available in a local cache. Content, e.g., I, P and B frames, supplied by the remote cache is tracked and content delivery is initiated prior to receipt of the full program from the remote content store. Trick play content is requested as needed from the remote content store to respond to trick play commands. Frames which are received as part of the trick play content stream are tracked and not included in normal play data subsequently obtained from the remote cache. The storage of the trick play data along with subsequent normal play data results in a full set of the program content being received and stored in a local cache for streaming in response to a VOD request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventor: Charles Hasek
  • Patent number: 8539522
    Abstract: A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Pil Kim, C. Gomer Thomas
  • Publication number: 20130239157
    Abstract: A method for providing a user of a target device with placeshifted content. The method includes detecting, utilizing the target device, a matrix code associated with an audio/visual program. Data encoded in the matrix code includes program identifying information and elapsed time information with respect to the program. The method further includes generating, utilizing the target device, a request for the program based at least in part on the encoded data. The method also includes transmitting, utilizing the target device, the program request across a network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jason Gaede, Germar Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20130239156
    Abstract: Provided is a random backoff apparatus and method for receiving augmented content that may prevent a delay or a down of a server caused by a plurality of receiving terminals accessing a server simultaneously, when a digital broadcasting system provides broadcast-based bidirectional broadcasting services over a communication network. That is, a technology for distributing receiving terminals accessing a server to receive augmented content, or accessing a home page of a corresponding program, based on metadata transferred from the digital broadcasting system to a broadcasting network. In a bidirectional digital method, a number of requests for access to the home page or the augmented content related to the program may be received from receiving terminals at one time. Accordingly, there is a desire for a method of preventing collision caused when a plurality of stations simultaneously access a single wireless channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
  • Patent number: 8533769
    Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver includes an affiliated station storage unit that stores affiliated station information in which broadcasting stations are associated with information identifying affiliated stations of the broadcasting stations and reception service areas to which the affiliated stations broadcast, and a switching history storage unit that stores switching history information in which each reception service area is associated with information identifying other reception service areas; when the signal of the program being viewed/listened to becomes currently unreceivable, a tuning control unit identifies, from the switching history information, another reception service area to which switching was performed from the reception service area to which the broadcasting station broadcasting the program being viewed/listened to is broadcasting, determines an affiliated station in the identified other reception service area that is an affiliated station of the broadcasting station broadcasting the program
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Takaki, Keiichi Shirasuka
  • Patent number: 8533760
    Abstract: Systems and methods can be used to provide reduced latency in channel changing for interactive programming. In some implementations, such systems and methods can include identifying a rapid channel change mode and filtering older requests when a device detects the rapid channel change mode. In other implementations, such systems and methods can predict channel change requests and identify predicted channels associated with the predicted requests. The predicted channels can thereby be requested in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Arris Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: James Lakin, Thomas Cloonan
  • Patent number: 8533765
    Abstract: A system and method for broadcasting content includes a content provider which interfaces with one or more clients through a network. The content provider includes a scheduler responsive to requests for content from clients. The scheduler provides the content in blocks by making the blocks available to requesters by a plurality of streams wherein a subsequent requester accesses blocks from previous requester's streams complemented by a subset of blocks as a stream for this requester to complete an entire set of blocks for the subsequent requester. By manipulating the scheduler as a function of user requests, this system and method is able to provide a video on demand service at a fractional bandwidth usage of a conventional VOD system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Jun Li, Charles Chuanming Wang, Kumar Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 8528005
    Abstract: A web engine configured for an ITF (IPTV Terminal Function), such as a STB (set-top-box), includes an application framework that enables display of applications. The application framework includes a memory for storing at least two applications, wherein the applications are arranged in a hierarchical tree structure in relation to each other. The application framework further includes an application manager. The application manager includes a receiving unit for receiving the event, e.g. a key press, and a controller for controlling the dispatching. The controller may include an event wrapper for wrapping and unwrapping the event and a dispatcher for transferring the wrapped event down through the application tree. For each application node including the root node, the application manager is configured to determine if an event should be processed by the current application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventors: Ola Andersson, Niklas Fondberg
  • Patent number: 8522293
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering data over extant infrastructure within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable network, and the infrastructure comprises that nominally used for on-demand (OD) services such as VOD. The method includes the allocation of dedicated end-to-end network resources via a “session request, as well as data flow control and packet size adaptation, by a data server based on feedback from the requesting/receiving client device (e.g., DSTB) within the network. Mechanisms for retransmission requests for error recovery are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Tom Gonder, Craig Mahonchak, John B. Carlucci, Vipul Patel, John Callahan, Jay Thomas
  • Patent number: 8522274
    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: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Interval Licensing LLC
    Inventors: Malcolm Slaney, Bonnie M. Johnson, Annarosa Tomasai, Steven E. Saunders, J. Thomas Ngo, Gavin Miller, Michele M. Covell, Paul A. Freiberger
  • Patent number: 8522290
    Abstract: A method for transmitting a video data over a grid infrastructure network is disclosed. The method includes receiving a request from at least one user for viewing the video data and identifying a plurality of attributes from a plurality primary grid enabled mini servers (GEMS), wherein the plurality of primary GEMS together form the grid network. The method further includes partitioning video data into a plurality of discrete fragments using a shard creator indicative of the plurality of attributes in each of the plurality of primary GEMS and allocating the plurality of discrete fragments among the plurality of primary GEMS based on the plurality of attributes of each of the plurality of primary GEMS. The method also includes decoding the plurality of discrete fragments of the video data using a streaming server for transmitting the video data to the at least one user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Infosys Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Anirban Chakrabarti, Ravi Chandra Nallan, Subhabrata Bhattacharya
  • Publication number: 20130219442
    Abstract: Displaying video on a video display device is disclosed. A first video stream from a first video streaming source is displayed on the display device. A second video stream from a second video streaming source is processed on the display device without displaying the second video stream. Displaying the first video stream is ceased and instead the second video stream is displayed. Supporting operations on a video stream is also disclosed. At least one video chunk is received at a first granularity. A determination is made that an operation is to be performed at a different granularity. At least one video chunk is requested at the different granularity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: CONVIVA INC.
    Inventor: CONVIVA INC.
  • Patent number: 8516519
    Abstract: Provided are a method and image display device for setting a definition of an image. According to the method, contents are received and a definition selected by a user is received. A definition selection menu to display at least one definition for the contents is displayed and it is determined whether a definition that the user selects is supported by the image display device to display an image on the basis of the definition that the user selects. Then, an optimal definition is displayed on the definition selection menu to display the received contents with the optimal definition in the image display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Suzin Lee
  • Patent number: 8509435
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a transport single key change point for all package identifier channels are disclosed and may include descrambling a received transport stream comprising multiple package identifier (PID) channels with multiple key change points, and synchronizing at least a portion of the multiple key change points to occur at a common time. The transport stream may be conditional access or copy protect scrambled. The timing of the key change points may be synchronized by modifying one or more scrambling control bits for the descrambled received transport stream. At least one PID channel in said descrambled received transport stream may be re-scrambled utilizing one or more of the scrambling control bits, and a portion of the PID channels may bypass the re-scrambling. The re-scrambling may include one or more of CP re-scrambling and CA re-scrambling. Each PID channel may be de-scrambled and/or re-scrambled utilizing a separate key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Rajesh Mamidwar
  • Publication number: 20130205355
    Abstract: A recording/delivery apparatus includes a receiver, a recorder, an information map creating unit, an information map supplying unit, and a stream data reply unit. The receiver receives a broadcast data stream. The recorder records the received data stream in a recording medium. The information map creating unit creates an information map based on the data stream. The information map identifies a changed packet in a target stream of the data stream. The information map creating unit records the information map in the recording medium. The information map supplying unit supplies the information map to a reproduction apparatus coupled to the recording/delivery apparatus. The stream data reply unit provides, in response to a request for the data stream from the reproduction apparatus, a start position of the data stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sony Corporation
  • Patent number: 8495677
    Abstract: A broadcasting receiving apparatus includes: a receiver which receives a broadcasting signal of one of a plurality of broadcasting channels, the broadcasting channels belonging to at least one of a plurality of channel categories; and a controller which deletes a broadcasting channel having the channel category selected by a user from a memory channel group including memory broadcasting channels among the plurality of the broadcasting channels, and controls the receiver to receive a broadcasting signal of one of the broadcasting channels selected by a user from the memory channel group excluding the broadcasting channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyeon-ji Lee, Joon-hwan Kim, Chang-soo Lee