Connection To External Network At Receiver (e.g., Set-top Box) Patents (Class 725/110)
  • Patent number: 8893212
    Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating hypermedia using multiple coordinated input/output device sets. Disclosed systems and methods allow a user and/or an author to control what resources are presented on which device sets (whether they are integrated or not), and provide for coordinating browsing activities to enable such a user interface to be employed across multiple independent systems. Disclosed systems and methods also support new and enriched aspects and applications of hypermedia browsing and related business activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Convergent Media Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Richard Reisman
  • Patent number: 8893203
    Abstract: A method and system for providing video content on a data network connected device having a display and a device display controller including a player. The method comprises the steps of a data network connected device, accesses a reference file including a plurality of player control parameter values and linking data for one or more content sources. Play control commands are provided to the player based on the play control parameter values. Content data is acquired by the player from one or more content sources via the data network using the linking data, and the content acquired from each source played on the display in accordance with the player control commands. The reference file may be a pre-existing reference file or a reference file created in response to a request to play the video content data. A reference file compiler is provided for generating the reference file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Phoenix Myrrh Technology Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Finbar O'Hanlon
  • Patent number: 8891611
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving graphical data are provided. The apparatus for transmitting includes a graphical data generating unit that generates graphical data; an encoder that converts the graphical data into a JPEG 2000 code stream; and a transmitting unit that transmits video streams and the code stream. The apparatus for receiving includes a receiving unit that extracts an JPEG 2000 code stream; a decoder that decodes the code stream; and a display unit that displays a video stream included in the received stream and the decoded code stream. The method for transmitting the graphical data includes generating graphical data; converting the data into a JPEG 2000 code stream; and transmitting video streams and the JPEG 2000 code stream. The method for receiving the graphical data includes extracting a JPEG 2000 code stream; decoding the code stream; and displaying the decoded code stream and a video stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Si-cheol Kim, Ye-youl Lee, Yong-moo Shin, Sung-bin Hong
  • Patent number: 8893176
    Abstract: The system includes a metadata generation apparatus for generating metadata to designate a specific space and time in and on which a speech balloon or a music book will be displayed on broadcasting content, a multiplexing broadcasting server for multiplexing the metadata received from the metadata generation apparatus and the broadcasting content and sending the multiplexed result to a reception apparatus, an augmented content providing apparatus for sending the speech balloon suitable for speech included in the broadcasting content or the music book suitable for music included in the broadcasting content to the reception apparatus, and the reception apparatus for displaying the broadcasting content and displaying the augmented content in a specific space and time of the broadcasting content based on the metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventors: Soon Choul Kim, Jeoung Lak Ha, Jung Hak Kim, Seung Chul Kim, Bum Suk Choi, Young Ho Jeong, Jin Woo Hong
  • Patent number: 8893201
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an avatar engine having a controller to retrieve a user profile, cause a presentation device to present a user an avatar having characteristics that correlate to the user profile, detect one or more responses of the user, identify from the one or more responses a need to communicate with a merchant system, establish a communication session with the merchant system, receive a notification from the merchant system of a merchant avatar engine, establish communication with the merchant avatar engine, adapt the characteristics of the avatar at least in part according to instructions supplied by the merchant avatar engine, and cause the presentation device to present the user the adapted avatar. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Darnell Clayton, E-Lee Chang, Horst Schroeter, Linda Roberts, Madhur Khandelwal
  • Publication number: 20140337907
    Abstract: A content transmission selection system is disclosed. The content transmission selection system receives requests from viewers for specific video content items. Using characteristics of the designated content item, the content transmission selection system determines whether to transmit the content item over a broadcast network or a broadband network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: James H. Gray, Robert A. Koch
  • Publication number: 20140337908
    Abstract: A system for retrieval of executable applications, comprising: a broadcast tele-vision receiver apparatus; and a server; wherein the broadcast television receiver apparatus includes a communication unit having an interface for bidirectional communication with a network and adapted to determine channel information from a currently decoded channel carried in a broadcast television signal, the channel information identifying the currently decoded channel, the communication unit being further adapted to send the channel information to a server over the network, and to receive application information from the server, the application information describing a set of applications which are available for execution, and to receive executable code components for the set of applications corresponding to the application information, and wherein the broadcast television receiver apparatus further includes a data processor adapted to execute the application whilst the channel is decoded; and wherein the server is adapted to
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Europe Limited
    Inventors: Jose Alexandre SIMOES RODRIGUES, Tassilo Volker RAESIG
  • Patent number: 8887222
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to techniques to establish a multicast communication session between a source device and multiple sink devices in a Wireless Display (WD) system. Two or more sink devices may be interested in receiving the same media data from the source device. According to the techniques, the source device establishes a multicast session with the sink devices in the WD system, and sends a single copy of multicast media data for the multicast session to the interested sink devices using a receiving multicast port. The source device selects a receiving multicast port number as a destination identifier for each multicast session. The sink devices interested in receiving the media data of a given multicast session bind on the receiving multicast port for the multicast session. This disclosure describes several exemplary multicast subscription procedures to ensure correct binding on the receiving multicast port at each of the sink devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Xiaolong Huang, Vijayalakshmi R. Raveendran, Doo Seok Kim, Fawad Shaukat, Xiaodong Wang
  • Patent number: 8887223
    Abstract: A method of processing an interactive service and an apparatus thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes sending a discovery message to a second screen application, receiving a request for descriptions of the second screen support services, sending a response with the descriptions, receiving a trigger, and delivering the trigger to the second device using a trigger service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyungho Kim, Minsoo Lee, Jangwoong Park, Seungryul Yang, Jinpil Kim, Kyoungsoo Moon, Janghun Bae, Jaekoo Lee, Younghwan Kwon, Seungjoo An, Hyeonjae Lee, Sejin Oh
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140331267
    Abstract: An advanced wireless IP STB is provided with multiple built-in antennas capable of capturing plural downstream transmissions simultaneously on dedicated receivers using different modem technologies without the use of wires to the home. The proposed solution facilitates the advanced wireless IP STB being able to receive multiply sourced data traffic, including, for example, IPTV, digital TV, web TV, radio web, internet chat: written, voice and video, GPS tracking locator signals, media player web support, web based video gaming, You Tube and the like video streaming, TV surveillance, video intercom surveillance, and much more. The advanced wireless IP STB is configured to be able to establish a broadband (internet) session through previously assigned or negotiated channel assignments between one or more modems and plural remote wireless infrastructures widely deployed in a municipality, such as WIMAX, LTE, WCDMA, CDMA 1x, TDSCMA, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 5G or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventor: Manolo Fabio Rivera
  • 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: 8881222
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a device, including a centralized controller to: distribute multimedia content to permit a television (TV) emulator client at one or more retail store locations to simulate a plurality of features of a television system interactively by using a media controller; and periodically update the multimedia content distributed to the TV emulator client. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Stephen Harris
  • Patent number: 8881196
    Abstract: A video playback apparatus for playing back a recorded program video which is connected with an ECG server for providing information related to a program through a communication network includes a designation information transmitting portion to transmit designation information designating a program containing a specific recorded program video to the ECG server, a related information receiving portion to receive a related information associated with the designated program, which is selected from related information each containing an ECG scenario related to each program video constituting a program and a scheduled time of each program video and stored in association with the program, from the ECG server, and a display/playback control portion to control display of the ECG scenario related to the specific program video in synchronization with playback of the specific program video based on the scheduled time of the program video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Fukuda, Tetsuo Maruyama, Asako Honjo
  • Publication number: 20140325560
    Abstract: A multifunctional display device includes a processor to control display of information during booting of an operating system. The operating system is booted in response to a predetermined signal and displayed the information includes first information corresponding to visual information, and second information indicating that the operating system is currently booting. The operating system is one which controls display of multimedia content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Seungwon KIM, Youngho JEONG
  • Publication number: 20140325576
    Abstract: An advanced wireless IP STB is provided with multiple built-in antennas capable of capturing plural downstream transmissions simultaneously on dedicated receivers using different modem technologies without the use of wires to the home. The proposed solution facilitates the advanced wireless IP STB being able to receive multiply sourced data traffic, including, for example, IPTV, digital TV, web TV, radio web, internet chat: written, voice and video, GPS tracking locator signals, media player web support, web based video gaming, You Tube and the like video streaming, TV surveillance, video intercom surveillance, and much more. The advanced wireless IP STB is configured to be able to establish a broadband (internet) session through previously assigned or negotiated channel assignments between one or more modems and plural remote wireless infrastructures widely deployed in a municipality, such as WIMAX, LTE, WCDMA, CDMA 1x, TDSCMA, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 5G or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Manolo Fabio Rivera
  • Publication number: 20140325575
    Abstract: An advanced wireless IP STB is provided with multiple built-in antennas capable of capturing plural downstream transmissions simultaneously on dedicated receivers using different modem technologies without the use of wires to the home. The proposed solution facilitates the advanced wireless IP STB being able to receive multiply sourced data traffic, including, for example, IPTV, digital TV, web TV, radio web, internet chat: written, voice and video, GPS tracking locator signals, media player web support, web based video gaming, You Tube and the like video streaming, TV surveillance, video intercom surveillance, and much more. The advanced wireless IP STB is configured to be able to establish a broadband (internet) session through previously assigned or negotiated channel assignments between one or more modems and plural remote wireless infrastructures widely deployed in a municipality, such as WIMAX, LTE, WCDMA, CDMA 1×, TDSCMA, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 5G or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Manolo Fabio Rivera
  • Patent number: 8875215
    Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating hypermedia using multiple coordinated input/output device sets. Disclosed systems and methods allow a user and/or an author to control what resources are presented on which device sets (whether they are integrated or not), and provide for coordinating browsing activities to enable such a user interface to be employed across multiple independent systems. Disclosed systems and methods also support new and enriched aspects and applications of hypermedia browsing and related business activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Convergent Media Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Richard Reisman
  • Patent number: 8875207
    Abstract: A system is provided for the storage of content on a network and the delivery of content to subscriber locations. The system includes routers and subscriber set-top boxes in communication with each other and a main content source. Content is delivered over a packet-switching network according to a peer to peer file distribution protocol and is stored in a storage area of the subscriber set-top box, such that each subscriber set-top box is configured to transmit and receive content to and from the main content source and other set-top boxes connected to the network. The set-top boxes may identify a preferred source of content based on various factors, such as geographic distance, Internet Protocol (IP) distance, available bandwidth, integrity of the content, etc. An associated method for accessing content and a set-top box for facilitating the storage and delivery of content are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Weintraub, Stuart D. Elby
  • Patent number: 8872888
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a content transmission apparatus, including: a retaining section adapted to retain a multi viewpoint video content formed from a plurality of viewpoint videos imaged simultaneously by a plurality of different video cameras; a production section adapted to produce a VRT including acquisition destination information of the viewpoint videos which configure the multi viewpoint video content, VRT standing for View Relation Table; a supplying section adapted to supply the produced VRT to a content reproduction apparatus; a broadcasting section adapted to broadcast one or plural ones of the viewpoint videos which configure the retained multi viewpoint video content; and a delivery section adapted to deliver one or plural ones of the viewpoint videos which configure the retained multi viewpoint video content through a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Naohisa Kitazato
  • Patent number: 8875179
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top-box (STB) having a controller to join a multicast group having an associated multicast address, wherein the multicast address is associated with a first content type of a plurality of content types, access encoded content associated with the first content type from the multicast address, wherein the encoded content is transmitted by at least one source associated with the multicast group to the multicast address, decode the accessed encoded content, and display the decoded content on a channel mapped to the multicast address. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Jason Savard, Michael Raftelis
  • 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: 8875206
    Abstract: A method and system includes a central location 100 registering a portable device 36 with a central location 100 and generating a conditional access signal corresponding to the portable device 36 in response to registering and transmitting the conditional access signal to a storage device controller. A set top box or storage device controller 28 receives the conditional access signal and enables a transfer of a file. The portable device 36 receives the file when coupled to the set top box in response to the conditional access signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorge H. Guzman, Brian D. Jupin
  • Patent number: 8875172
    Abstract: Content sorting and definition technology, in which input defining multiple content links to include in a channel is received from a content curator and supplemental channel information that facilitates user experience of content linked to by at least one of the multiple content links is determined. Channel information for the channel associated with the content curator is defined based on the multiple content links and the supplemental channel information and the defined channel information is published at a channel link to make the channel information available to user devices of a content delivery network. The channel link is a network address at which the defined channel information is made available to the user devices of the content delivery network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: PurpleComm Inc.
    Inventors: Jack H. Chang, William H. Sheu, Sherman Tuan
  • Publication number: 20140317663
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a broadcasting service are provided. The method includes receiving, by a first terminal, channel information of a program selected by a user from a second terminal, detecting a frequency of the selected program from a mapping table that maps the channel information to a corresponding frequency, locking a tuner of the first terminal to the detected frequency, and receiving a broadcasting service of the program from a broadcasting network server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji-Eun KEUM, Young-Sun RYU
  • Patent number: 8868463
    Abstract: A method of managing digital rights is disclosed that includes recording media content at one or more servers supporting a multimedia content distribution service. The one or more servers are configured to transmit multimedia data to multiple customer premises equipment (CPE) devices. The method further includes determining recorded media content at the one or more servers that is associated with a content source and providing a graphical user interface (GUI) accessible to a content manager at the content source to manage digital rights. The GUI includes a list of the recorded media content and at least one selectable element associated with each item of the list accessible to select media content and to configure digital rights associated with the selected media content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Michael Grannan
  • Patent number: 8869221
    Abstract: A display apparatus is provided. The display apparatus includes a first receiver, a display unit, a controller and a processor. The first receiver receives a network packet stream. The controller selectively sends one of a video signal generated by processing the network packet stream and an external video signal to the display unit for displaying the received video signal, according to a control signal. The processor determines whether the network packet stream comprises a display command. The processor sends the control signal to the controller for receiving and sending the video signal of the network packet stream to the display unit, when the network packet stream includes the display command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corp.
    Inventor: Feng-Yuan Chen
  • Patent number: 8869222
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and computer program products are provided to facilitate enhanced use and interaction with multimedia content using a variety of content identification techniques. After identifying a content that is being presented by a first device, the content identification information is used to retrieve and present a second content that would render at least a portion of the first content comprehensible to particular users or audience of the first content. The second content can be tailored to accommodate physical disabilities or special needs of a user or a group of users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Verance Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M. Winograd, Peter Russell Johnson, William Carl Houle
  • Patent number: 8868785
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying multimedia content on a display device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer implemented method receives a web page comprising multimedia content for display upon a display device and detects non-displayable content within the multimedia content. Upon detecting the non-displayable content, the method requests transcoding for only the non-displayable content and receives multimedia data transcoded from the non-displayable content. The method displays the web page using content decoded from the multimedia data to replace the non-displayable content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Thangaraj Umapathy, Akshaya Gowrishanker, Jeetu Narayan, Ramprakash Raghupathy, Srikumar Sankaran, Sudhir Tubegere Shankaranarayana, Vijaya Senthil Veeri Chetty
  • Patent number: 8869231
    Abstract: An information processing unit includes: a receiving unit which receives, via a communication network, first specifying information which is used by a content source to specify the content, from a display device which receives and displays broadcast content; a converting unit which, upon retrieval request from the display device for related information which is related to the content, converts the first specifying information into second specifying information, which is used by a source of the related information to specify the content; a retrieval controlling unit which transmits the second specifying information to a retrieval device, which retrieves the related information based on the second specifying information, via the communication network and controls retrieval of the related information; and a providing unit which provides the display device with the related information acquired from the retrieval device via the communication network upon retrieval request for the related information to the retriev
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yumi Ito
  • Publication number: 20140310759
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a terminal device, a server device, an information processing method, a program, and a linked application supplying system, which are capable of executing an application in conjunction with progress of content being viewed at a user's home. The terminal device of the present disclosure is characterized in including a database cache unit that acquires and holds reference data which is held in a database of the server device, and a response generation unit that identifies content of an extraction source of signature data included in a second query in response to the second query transmitted from a separate terminal device belonging to a common network, by referring to the reference data in the database cache unit, and generates a second response to be returned to the separate terminal device, including at least the application identifier representing an application to be executed in conjunction with the identified content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuaki Yamagishi
  • Publication number: 20140310742
    Abstract: Disclosed are a display apparatus, and a method and an apparatus for setting up and controlling the display apparatus. The display apparatus includes a communicator configured to receive setting profile data of the display apparatus from an external device, and a controller configured to parse the received setting profile data and perform setting of the display apparatus based on the parsed setting profile data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wan-su KIM
  • Patent number: 8863163
    Abstract: An electronic program guide (EPG) may include entries that enable access to one or more images. In some implementations, when an image-related entry is selected by a user, a device presents the one or more images that are associated with the selected entry. In some implementations, portions of the EPG are presented as links. Selection of a link effectuates a search and may be followed by the visual presentation of one or more images resulting from the search. Additionally, in some implementations, an image can be communicated with an electronic communication. In response to the electronic communication, an image entry may be added to the channel lineup of the EPG. Selection of the image entry in the EPG may cause the device to visually present the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Peter T. Barrett
  • Patent number: 8862761
    Abstract: A system and method for a operating a content distribution system includes a destination device and a requesting device that communicates a primary audio stream secondary audio stream and a video stream to the destination device. The destination device communicates the primary audio stream to a display. The destination device includes a secondary decoder configured to decode the secondary audio stream to form a decoded secondary audio stream. The destination device combines the secondary decoded audio stream and the primary audio stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Diem V. Nguyen, Noreen Fong, Mark C. Guidarelli, Titus Winters
  • Patent number: 8863209
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that enable the use of a multi-service endpoint device to integrate features and functions of voice and/or data services with IPTV service through a TV console are disclosed. For example, the method connects a multi-service endpoint device (MSED) to a plurality of networks, where at least one of the plurality of networks provides a voice service, and where at least one of the plurality of networks provides an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service. The method then integrates the voice service with the IPTV service using the MSED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Joseph Sommer
  • Patent number: 8863212
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an avatar engine having a controller to retrieve a user profile of a user, present the user an avatar having characteristics that correlate to the user profile, detect one or more responses of the user during a communication exchange between the avatar and the user, establish a communication session with a language translation system responsive to identifying from the one or more responses a need to engage in language translations, transmit to the language translation system content in a language format other than a language understood by the user, receive from the language translation system a translation of the content in the language understood by the user, and present the user an adaptation of the avatar that presents the translated content in the user's language. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: E-Lee Chang, Horst Schroeter, Linda Roberts, Darnell Clayton, Madhur Khandelwal
  • Patent number: 8863222
    Abstract: A media gateway that services a plurality of client devices may be used to combine a plurality of encoded multimedia transport streams, which may comprise a buffered copy of received encoded broadcast multimedia transport stream and an encoded local multimedia transport stream that pertains to the broadcast transport stream. The media gateway may decode the encoded broadcast multimedia transport stream to extract broadcast multimedia content carried therein based on determination of capabilities of one or more client devices used in playback of the content. The encoded local multimedia transport stream may be generated based on local multimedia content generated and/or captured via one or more client devices. The buffering duration of the received encoded broadcast multimedia transport stream may be adaptively determined, to ensure that the encoded local multimedia transport stream and the encoded broadcast multimedia transport stream are synchronized when they are combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon Yong Li, Xuemin Chen, Arlen J Kirchoff, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8863196
    Abstract: The user of an Internet TV device can control the Internet TV device using a mobile device such as a smart phone. The smart phone also obtains program information from the Internet TV device and sends the information to a server as a search term, presenting supplemental program information received from the server on the display of the mobile device so that a person can browse the supplemental information without disturbing viewers of the Internet TV device. The mobile device can also grab a link related to the program from the Internet TV device and use that link as a recommendation to friends on social networking sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Abhishek Patil, Sriram Sampathkumaran, Guru Prashanth Balasubramanian, Dipendu Saha, Meeta Jain, Aravind Babu Asam, Seungwook Hong
  • Patent number: 8860882
    Abstract: A system for constructing seamlessly viewable multimedia content from selectably presentable multimedia content blocks includes a block definition module for facilitating creation and modification of the content blocks. The block definition module includes a media assignment submodule for associating a synchronized audio and video segment with a content block. Also included is a block linking submodule for creating seamless connections between content blocks, whereby a transition between the connected blocks occurs substantially without interruption upon viewing the multimedia content. The block definition module further includes a layer submodule for associating an interactive layer having interactive controls with the content block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: JBF Interlude 2009 Ltd—Israel
    Inventors: Jonathan Bloch, Barak Feldman, Tal Zubalsky, Kfir Y. Rotbard
  • Publication number: 20140304755
    Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus by which a first entity receives information about one or more Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service providers or information about one or more IPTV services from a second entity by using a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mun-Jo KIM, Eun-Hee RHIM, In-chul HWANG
  • Publication number: 20140304754
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system for live video/audio broadcasting (e.g., game broadcasting). Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method for live video/audio broadcasting (e.g., game broadcasting). Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to computer software for live video/audio broadcasting (e.g., game broadcasting).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Max Haot, Lior Messinger
  • Patent number: 8856853
    Abstract: One embodiment may take the form of a network media device including a processing unit configured to execute instructions stored on one or more storage media, and a first communication component coupled to the processing unit and configured to receive a video signal over an audio/video interface from a broadcast receiver. The video signal may include an image code including identifying information regarding the broadcast receiver. The processing unit may be configured to process the image code to extract the identifying information. A second communication component may be coupled to the processing unit and configured to transmit control signals based on the identifying information of the broadcast receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Steven Michael Casagrande, William Michael Beals
  • Patent number: 8856855
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a set-top box through a social network. Access is granted to control the set-top box to one or more contacts of a user. The one or more contacts being associated with one or more social networks. Access to control the set-top box is granted to one or more contacts of one or more social networks. A request to change media content is received from one of the one or more contacts. The one or more contacts are authenticated to ensure they are authorized to tune the set-top box to the media content. The media content is tuned in for communication to a display in response to authenticating the request from the one of the one or more contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael Goergen, Gary W. Lafreniere, David Emerson
  • Patent number: 8856851
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling a network-connected device in one peer network from an infrared (IR) device connected to another peer network is disclosed. Regardless of underlying communication protocols used in peer networks, the IR device in a peer network can request a transfer of data or control to a networked device in another peer network. Communication compatibility among the two peer networks are maintained by utilizing a set-top box in each peer network configured to communicate with another set-top box using a transport control protocol (TCP), which may be different from underlying protocols (e.g. X.25, IrDA) between the set-top box and locally connected devices to the set-top box. The set-top box may utilize an intelligent routing scheme based on a packet header and/or payload content examination to route the transfer of data to a “most-appropriate” electronic device connected to the set-top box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: David Marshall Davis
  • Patent number: 8854302
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing data being displayed on at least one monitor screen based on monitoring user's attention in relation to the monitor screen. In one embodiment, upon detecting that the user's attention is leaving at least a portion of a screen, the system may alert the user of such an event. Alternatively, the system could alert the user upon detecting a triggering condition while the user's attention is away from the at least a portion of the screen. The step of alerting the user may include modifying at least a portion of a display on a monitor not being viewed by the user. Additionally, the system may initiate preparation of a report including any data not being viewed by a user during the time period when the user is not viewing a portion of the monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Trading Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J. Buck
  • Patent number: 8855192
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method, circuit and system for transmission of video data between a video source and a video sink. A video source transceiver may include: (1) a video source interface for receiving video data, optionally including one or more video synchronization signals functionally associated video source device; (2) a video source clock sampler for sampling a video clock parameter of received video data; (3) a video data buffer for buffering received video data prior to transmission; and (4) a video transmission circuit including packet size timing logic adapted to generate and transmit to a functionally associated video sink transceiver a value correlated to an expected data packet size based on video data stored in the video buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Amimon, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ariel Sagi
  • Patent number: 8856832
    Abstract: A multifunctional display device includes a processor to control simultaneously display of visual information and monitoring information on a same screen. The monitoring information provides an indication of status of one or more applications executed at a same time the visual information is displayed, and the visual information corresponds to one of content provider, broadcast signal, or website information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Young Ho Jeong
  • Publication number: 20140298394
    Abstract: There is provided an image processing device including a content acquiring unit configured to simultaneously acquire a plurality of content items distributed through a network, and a bandwidth deciding unit configured to decide a band allocated to each content item acquired by the content acquiring unit, using a ratio for each content item with respect to a bandwidth to be used by all the plurality of content items acquired simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kuniaki Kurihara
  • Publication number: 20140298393
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes: a display unit; a signal processor which is configured to process an image signal to be displayed as an image on the display unit; a communicator which is configured to communicate with an external network; and a controller which is configured to perform an initial setup service provide a user with a plurality of setup stages for adjusting a plurality of functions of the display apparatus, deduce an installation region of the display apparatus based on network information when the network information for the communicator to communicate with the external network is setup in execution of the initial setup service, and automatically perform at least part of the setup stages based on information on the deduced installation region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wan-su KIM
  • Patent number: RE45225
    Abstract: A device for provisioning, retrieving, and using data guide information transmitted in a digital broadcast signal is disclosed. A receiver receives the digital broadcast signal which includes digital television programming packets multiplexed with data packets and thereafter routes the received signal to a demodulator. The demodulator provides a demodulated signal to a detector which identifies data packets contained therein. A processor then determines the types of data in the data packets, as well as the respective channels on which the identified types of data are transmitted. The processor prepares a menu for a display screen enabling a user to select the channel of interest, and enables the user to be connected accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom L. Sorensen