Receiver (e.g., Set-top Box) Patents (Class 725/131)
  • Patent number: 8875197
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer products for mosaics of live views of traffic via Internet Protocol Television. Exemplary embodiments include a network-based method for providing traffic views, the method including receiving a request to display a traffic views mosaic on a communications device, retrieving traffic views data and providing the traffic views data to the communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellecutal Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: David DeLorme
  • Patent number: 8875210
    Abstract: A system for providing video conference touch blur. More specifically, in certain embodiments, a video conference touch blur operation is performed by actuating (e.g., via touch or via a mouse operation) a video conference screen image to blur areas that are not to be transmitted in high definition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Roy Stedman, Carlton Andrews
  • Patent number: 8874635
    Abstract: Internet multimedia content delivery methods, devices and systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for communicating internet multimedia data to a consumer electronic via a wireless network comprises receiving the internet multimedia data via the wireless network, converting the internet multimedia data to a data type associated with the consumer electronic device, and forwarding the internet multimedia data of the data type to the consumer electronic device, where the internet multimedia data via the wireless network is serviced by an internet multimedia data server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Shakeel Mustafa
  • Patent number: 8875182
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a data broadcast processing device, method, and program which enable secure control of an operation of a data broadcast processing device. Since a flag standalone is not set in a script NCL Script 133, the script NCL Script 133 is executed from time t13 till time t15, simultaneously with a script NCL Script 132 and a script NCL Script 134. In contrast, a script NCL Script 135, in which the flag standalone is set, is prohibited from being executed simultaneously with another script NCL Script 134 in which the flag standalone is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Dewa
  • Patent number: 8872983
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive content, an acquiring unit configured to acquire a time required for reproducing the content, a counter configured to count a first time including at least the required time, and a display controller configured to display the content on the display unit and terminate display of a video on the display unit after expiration of the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hitoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8869216
    Abstract: A method of processing a non-real time service of a broadcast receiver, which receives and processes a service being transmitted in non-real time, and a broadcast receiver are disclosed. Herein, the method of processing a non-real time service in a broadcast receiver includes receiving in non-real time first signaling information including access information of a content item and second signaling information including detail information of the content item, receiving in non-real time a file belonging to the content item by accessing to a FLUTE session transmitting the content item, wherein the file corresponds to a compressed file that has one or more files including an entry file compressed therein, and decompressing the compressed file and then executing the content item referring to information on the entry file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Yeul Suh, Gomer Thomas, Jin Pil Kim
  • Patent number: 8863197
    Abstract: A digital television (DTV) signal for use in a DTV receiver includes an extended text table (ETT) which includes a header and a message body. The header includes a table identification extension field which serves to establish uniqueness of the ETT, and the message includes an extended text message (ETM). If the ETT is an event ETT, the table ID extension field includes an event identification which specifies an identification number of an event associated with the ETT. On the other hand, if the ETT is a channel ETT, the table identification extension field includes a source identification which specifies a programming source of a virtual channel associated with the ETT. A section-filtering unit included in the DTV receiver is able to use table identification extension fields of a plurality of ETTs for section-filtering a pertinent event or channel ETT from the ETTs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Pil Kim, Kyung Mee Lee
  • Patent number: 8861940
    Abstract: A main-view stream and a sub-view stream are recorded on a recording medium. The main-view stream is used for monoscopic video playback. The sub-view stream is used for stereoscopic video playback in combination with the main-view stream are recorded. The main-view stream includes a plurality of main-view pictures, and the sub-view stream includes a plurality of sub-view pictures. The main-view pictures and the sub-view pictures are in one-to-one correspondence. A B picture is not used as a reference picture for compression of any of the sub-view pictures whose corresponding main-view picture is one of an I picture and a P picture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Taiji Sasaki, Hiroshi Yahata, Tomoki Ogawa, Takeshi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20140304760
    Abstract: A broadcast receiver receives a packetized stream. The broadcast receiver extracts display time information from the header of the received packetized stream, and extracts preparation trigger information including a target service identifier from the payload of the received packetized stream. If a current time is a preparation time designated by the extracted display time information, the broadcast receiver starts to prepare an object corresponding to the target service identifier for activation at a later time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Sanghyun KIM, Kwansuk KIM, Dongwan SEO, Jongyeul SUH, Joonhui LEE
  • Publication number: 20140304732
    Abstract: The broadcast equipment is provided with a receiving unit (101), a separation processing unit (102) for separating the broadcast signal into a program content and control information, a content processing unit (103) for processing the program content, a erasing unit (104) for erasing the AIT included in the control information, a storage (105) for storing the AIT working with the program content, a readout unit (106) for reading out an AIT from the storage (105), an adding unit (107) for adding the AIT read out by the readout unit (106) to the control information from which the AIT is erased by the erasing unit (104), a multiplexing processing unit (108) for multiplexing the control information to which the AIT is newly added and the program content after being processed by the content processing unit (103), and a transmitting unit (109) for transmitting the multiplexed signal as a broadcast signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: JAPAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeaki Mitsuya, Kinji Matsumura, Akitsugu Baba, Hiroshi Fujisawa, Masaru Takechi, Yasuaki Kanatsugu, Hiroyuki Hamada
  • Patent number: 8856857
    Abstract: This technique relates to a receiving device, a receiving method, and a program that can demodulate transmitted signals with high accuracy. A receiving device of this disclosure includes: an amplifying unit that amplifies a received signal; an adjusting unit that adjusts gain of the amplifying unit in accordance with power of the signal; a demodulating unit that demodulates the amplified signal; and a detecting unit that detects an interval from the signal, information having the same content continuously appearing in the interval. The adjusting unit restricts the process of adjusting the gain of the amplifying unit in accordance with a result of the detection of the interval. This disclosure can be applied to receiving devices that receive broadcast signals compliant with DVB-C2 via a CATV network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Kobayashi, Naoki Yoshimochi
  • Patent number: 8854555
    Abstract: Systems and methods for toggling between television channels that appear on a display. A listing of channels is received from a user, with the channels being prioritized in an order of preference. One or more toggle types are also received from the user, with each toggle type further including a toggle trigger. In use, a channel is displayed on the display until a toggle trigger is detected. Once detected, the channel on the display is changed to another channel from the list of channels. This process may continue with the detection of another toggle trigger causing another changing of the displayed channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventors: Darryl Adderly, Brian Murray, Wenjian Qiao, Prasad Kashyap
  • 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: 8856854
    Abstract: A processor for a cable television set-top box has an interface for coupling the processor to a second processor. The processor also has a port that is coupleable to control a tuner, a demodulator and a DOCSIS module with or without DSG support. The tuner has an output coupled to the demodulator input, and the demodulator has an output to the DOCSIS module input. The demodulator's output is also coupled to a conditional access module controlled by the second processor. The processor issues commands via the port to control at least one of the tuner and the demodulator based on instructions received via the interface from the second processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Weimin Feng, Paul McGlynn, David Lwin, David Erickson, Haisong Wang
  • 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: 8855547
    Abstract: A band translation method and device for selecting two or more desired frequency bands of data and bandstacking the two or more desired frequency bands of data into a single output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Edmund F. Petruzzelli
  • Patent number: 8850506
    Abstract: A method and system for supporting media services on devices lacking capabilities to execute reverse transmission communicates necessary to request and/or locate the services. The method and system may be suitable for use with switched broadcast television (SBT) system having unidirectional digital cable products (UDCPs) which are unable to execute reverse transmission communicates necessary to support SBT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cable Television Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: David K. Broberg
  • Patent number: 8850475
    Abstract: A method includes detecting, from an Enhanced Television (ETV) Integrated Signaling Stream (EISS), an indication that an ETV application is available to be downloaded; downloading, in response to the indication, the ETV application from a video stream identified by the indication, where the ETV application does not conform to an ETV Binary Interchange Format (EBIF) standard; detecting, from the EISS, another indication that the ETV application is to be started; executing, in response to the other indication, the ETV application to generate an ETV page, where the ETV page includes information that is not permitted by the EBIF standard; and displaying the ETV page on a video display device to enables a user to interact with the ETV page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Sudhanshu Sharma, Neena Pandey
  • Patent number: 8843974
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a process for a user viewing a media item. The process comprises the user viewing the media item on a first device in a first format, and the user pausing the media item at a stop time. The stop time is saved in the first format and a second format. The process further comprises the user choosing to view the media item on a second device requiring the second format. The media item is resumed in the second format from the saved stop time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Inventors: Albert John McGowan, Michael Edmund Godlewski
  • Publication number: 20140282809
    Abstract: An electronic system includes: a communication unit configured to provide a transport stream; a storage unit, coupled to the communication unit, configured to provide a stream from the transport stream; and a control unit, coupled to the storage unit, configured to restore details to the stream by a compression adaptive module for a high resolution output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Li Tao
  • Patent number: 8839335
    Abstract: A method of processing a multi-mode service (MMS) broadcast signal in a digital television receiver facilitates the selection of logical channels of a received MMS broadcast according to user preference. The method includes steps of receiving a transport stream corresponding to a selected channel; extracting side information from the received transport stream; determining, based on the extracted side information, whether the selected channel is an MMS broadcast channel broadcasting a primary broadcast program, the MMS broadcast channel including a single physical channel accompanied by a plurality of logical channels configured with the single physical channel, each logical channel transmitting a different programming attribute of the primary broadcast program; and displaying information on the plurality of logical channels, if it is determined that the selected channel is an MMS broadcast channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Kwang Hee Ha
  • Patent number: 8839337
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing interactive broadcasting of a video or TV content wherein users viewing the interactive broadcast content received from a broadcasting service by means of transceiver and display means are able to provide feedbacks relating to said video or TV content any time during said interactive broadcast of said content by means of input means coupled to the transceiver means, said broadcasting service comprises processing means capable of: i) continuously identifying and marking in the broadcasted content one or more key features which may change from time to time; and ii) processing users feedbacks received from the transceiver means and provide indications concerning the feedbacks and events related to the marked key features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Shay Bushinsky
  • Patent number: 8839280
    Abstract: A method for problem detection related to received data includes monitoring data to detect a first problem and a second problem related to the data. The first problem may be related to a first data type and the second problem may be related to a second data type. The first data type and the second data type may be distinct from each other. The method includes determining a first remedial action in response to detecting the first problem and a second remedial action in response to detecting the second problem. The method includes determining a priority order for the first remedial action and the second remedial action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Gustavo de los Reyes, Sanjay Macwan, Jennifer Morovitz
  • Publication number: 20140259087
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining audiovisual output preference. The method comprises providing first and second stimuli having respective sets of audio and visual characteristics. The method receives a user selection between the first and second stimuli, and includes the set of audio and visual characteristics corresponding to the selected stimuli in the audiovisual output preference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Steven M. Belz, Marc Sullivan, James Pratt
  • Patent number: 8832766
    Abstract: Methods and systems of handling channel changes in a digital home communication terminal are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises: receiving a channel change request; determining whether the channel change request is user-initiated; setting at least one channel change parameter to a value based on the determination; and performing a channel change using the at least channel change parameter having the set value. An exemplary system comprises: a channel acquisition component, memory, and a processor. The processor is programmed by code, stored in memory, to: receive a channel change request; determine whether the channel change request is user-initiated; and instruct the channel acquisition component to perform a channel change using at least channel change parameter. The channel change parameter has a value that is based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Inventors: William C. VerSteeg, John M. Schlarb, Guy Atkinson Meador, III
  • Patent number: 8832768
    Abstract: Embodiments provide for outputting video and allowing a user to switch between different audio steams in a synchronous manner without impacting the timeline of the audio presentation. The audio and video streams may be directed to a single sporting event. For example, a user can view video associated with a national television broadcast of a baseball game, and switch between the audio from the national broadcast and the audio from the radio broadcast. Similarly, the user can view video associated with a local television broadcast, and switch between the audio from the national, regional, and/or radio broadcast. As any sport fan would appreciate, such flexibility enables users to watch the video with, e.g., the best quality and camera angle, while at the same time listening to the audio or broadcaster they find the most appealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: MLB Advanced Media, L.P.
    Inventor: Joe Inzerillo
  • Patent number: 8832765
    Abstract: A system for providing television (TV) service including high definition television (HDTV) service, and for providing verification that a subscriber has connected an HDTV to the system includes a TV service provider headend and a set top box (STB). The HDTV may have an HDTV digital video interface (DVI) interconnect. The STB may be electrically coupled to the headend and have an STB DVI interconnect. When the HDTV DVI interconnect is initially electrically coupled to the STB DVI interconnect, the HDTV generally presents a data signal to the STB and the STB generally presents the data signal to the headend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew D. Cohen
  • Patent number: 8826358
    Abstract: Back channel communications are contemplated. The back channel communications may relate to facilitating signaling from a primary device to one or more secondary devices. One contemplated type of back channel communication may include a service provider carrying the desired signaling to the secondary devices. This may occur without the primary device being aware of the secondary devices and/or without requiring the primary device to identify the secondary devices to the service provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cable Television Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Josiah J. Kirby, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8819759
    Abstract: A method and computing device for determining the location of a point of interest in a media stream. The method receives an order of duplication for a media stream and a sequence of caption data strings associated with the media stream. The method computes a hash value for a selected string in the sequence. The hash value representing the selected string, and a number of strings in the sequence that immediately precede the selected string, where the order of duplication determines the number of strings. The method receives a media stream time for the selected string based on the hash value, and determines a time at a point of interest in the media stream relative to the media stream time for the selected string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Arpan Kumar Kaushal, Muralidharan Narayanan, Aravind Soundararajan, Matthew F. Storch
  • Patent number: 8819757
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventor: Manolo Fabio Rivera
  • Patent number: 8817774
    Abstract: An integrated Set-Top Box DSL VOIP WIFI device including a housing; a telecommunications line input for accepting a telecommunications line containing a video content signal and a data content signal from a provider, the data content signal for providing the voice over internet protocol to a telecommunication's device; a virtual local area network for splitting the video content signal and the data content signal; a video output for accepting a video line for transmitting the video content signal to a video device; a data output for accepting an audio line for transmitting the data content signal to at least one of a telecommunications device and a digital computing device; an antenna for transmitting the data content signal to a wireless communications device; and a passive pass-through filter for connection for providing transmission of E911 service voice signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Mohit Mathur, Michael P. Morrissey
  • Patent number: 8819756
    Abstract: A digital video recorder is disclosed. The digital video recorder includes at least one memory device, a plurality of communication access points for receiving at least one program play, an open application programming interface associated with the at least one memory device, and at least one correlation engine in communication with the open application programming interface. The plurality of applications correspondent to the open application programming interface allow a user to manipulate metadata associated with ones of the programs plays and the metadata relates to interframe interactivity with detailed aspects of the ones of the program plays. The at least one correlation engine provides for correlation among at least for the interframes of the program play to ones of the interframes of other ones of the program plays, and among the interframe interactivity to the interframes of the program play to interframe interactivity with the other ones of the interframes of the other ones of the program plays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventors: Ryan Steelberg, Chad Steelberg
  • Patent number: 8819754
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to playback of video/audio streaming media data. The media stream is available from the network at multiple bit rates. When a seek operation is performed, a playback device requests a lower bit rate media stream in order to quickly fill a playback buffer so that playback can commence more readily. After a seek start-up period is complete, the playback device can return to downloading the media stream associated with higher bit rates in order to increase the quality of the playback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gurpratap Virdi, Eldar Musayev, Wenbo Zhang, Andres Vega-Garcia
  • Patent number: 8817923
    Abstract: When a decision is made that receiving performance deterioration due to an interfering wave is present in a digital broadcasting wave, an operating point of an RF AGC amplifier 6 and a time constant of gain control of the RF AGC amplifier 6 are altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takanori Kawai, Hiroyuki Nagahama
  • Publication number: 20140237536
    Abstract: A method of displaying contents, a method of synchronizing contents, and a method and device for displaying contents are provided. The method includes: receiving initial scene configuration information of a content written in a markup language from an external device, structuralizing the initial scene configuration information, rendering the content according to the structuralized initial scene configuration information, receiving additional scene configuration information of the content from the external device, updating the structuralized initial scene configuration information based on the received additional scene configuration information, and rendering the content according to the updated initial scene configuration information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicants: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., UNIVERSITY-INDUSTRY COOPERATION GROUP OF KYUNG HEE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yong-seok Jang, Kyu-heon Kim, Byung-cheol Kim, Jung-woog Park, Hong-seok Park, Hee-jean Kim, Kyung-mo Park, Gwang-hoon Park, Duk-young Suh, Sung-ryeul Rhyu, Dae-jong Lee, Jae-jun Lee, Sung-oh Hwang
  • Patent number: 8813156
    Abstract: When a request for a content item is received from a device, the resolution parameters of the device are identified. Based on the resolution parameters of the device, a selection is made as to a version of the content item to recommend from a plurality of versions of the content item. Each version of the content item has a different resolution. A recommendation is provided to the user of the device that the selected version of the content item be displayed on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Huang, Jennifer Anne Lees
  • Patent number: 8813160
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method, system and user device for obtaining a key frame in a streaming media service. The method includes: setting a threshold time for receiving a key frame, receiving video data by a client from a streaming media server, and analyzing the video data, when the network state is normal, sending a request for adjusting a video key frame generating frequency to the streaming media server if a video key frame is not received by the client in the threshold time; when the request is received, the streaming media server determines whether to adjust the video key frame generating frequency, if so, then adjusts the video key frame generating frequency according to the request of the client. The application of the invention can improve the quality of the streaming media service, and advance the experience level of the streaming media service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventor: Guoqiang Shang
  • Publication number: 20140229994
    Abstract: A system comprising: a first user terminal comprising a television receiver for receiving a selected television channel, the television channel being selected by a first user activation and comprising a main video stream, and the first terminal further comprising a first controller and an output for outputting the main video stream of the selected television channel to a first screen; and a second user terminal comprising a second screen, a wireless transceiver operable to establish a wireless connection with the first terminal, and a second controller configured to communicate with the first controller via the wireless connection; wherein the television receiver of the first terminal is arranged to receive metadata relating to interactive content associated with the main video stream, and the first controller is operable to forward at least a portion of the metadata to the second terminal via said wireless connection; and the second controller is configured to process said portion of metadata and to output t
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Espial Limited
    Inventors: David Fell, Simon Middleton
  • Patent number: 8806539
    Abstract: A digital television (DTV) signal for use in a DTV receiver includes an extended text table (ETT) which includes a header and a message body. The header includes a table identification extension field which serves to establish uniqueness of the ETT, and the message includes an extended text message (ETM). If the ETT is an event ETT, the table ID extension field includes an event identification which specifies an identification number of an event associated with the ETT. On the other hand, if the ETT is a channel ETT, the table identification extension field includes a source identification which specifies a programming source of a virtual channel associated with the ETT. A section-filtering unit included in the DTV receiver is able to use table identification extension fields of a plurality of ETTs for section-filtering a pertinent event or channel ETT from the ETTs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Pil Kim, Kyung Mee Lee
  • Patent number: 8804045
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top box having a processor operable to receive video content from a multimedia source, to detect at least one frame in the video content affected by a high intensity burst of light, and to determine a chrominance reference from frames in the video content unaffected by the high intensity burst of light. The processor is also operable to modify chrominance in the at least one frame according to the chrominance reference without altering spatial characteristics of objects in the at least one frame, to replace the at least one frame in the video content with the modified at least one frame to create updated video content, and to present the updated video content at a presentation device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James Pratt, Steven Belz, Marc Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8806527
    Abstract: A system for providing communications between a remote control and an advertising source is provided. The system includes a television system configured to receive content and to provide a content indicator representing received content. A remote control is also included in the system, the remote control having a local communications unit and a remote communications unit. The local communications unit is configured to communicate with the television system so as to receive from the television system the content indicator. The remote communications unit is configured to send a content indication signal to an advertising source in a manner independent of the television system, the content indication signal being related to the content indicator. The system is further configured to receive advertising from the advertising source based on the content indication signal and to output the advertising at the remote control. Also provided are corresponding apparatuses, methods, and computer program products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Vittorio Bucchieri, Joel Angiolillo
  • Publication number: 20140223506
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method of synchronizing a first image and a second image forming multiple images in broadcasting service based on the multiple images. The method includes receiving a stream regarding the first stream and a stream regarding the second stream through a plurality of channels, obtaining the first image and the second image by decoding the stream regarding the first stream and the stream regarding the second stream and obtaining a base Program Clock Reference (PCR) descriptor in at least one of the stream regarding the first stream and the stream regarding the second stream, selecting a base stream based on the base PCR descriptor and determining a base PCR based on the base PCR descriptor, and synchronizing the first image and the second image based on the base PCR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Sang Woo Ahn, Kwi Hoon Kim, Jae Hwui Bae
  • Patent number: 8799960
    Abstract: A digital television (DTV) signal for use in a DTV receiver includes an extended text table (ETT) which includes a header and a message body. The header includes a table identification extension field which serves to establish uniqueness of the ETT, and the message includes an extended text message (ETM). If the ETT is an event ETT, the table ID extension field includes an event identification which specifies an identification number of an event associated with the ETT. On the other hand, if the ETT is a channel ETT, the table identification extension field includes a source identification which specifies a programming source of a virtual channel associated with the ETT. A section-filtering unit included in the DTV receiver is able to use table identification extension fields of a plurality of ETTs for section-filtering a pertinent event or channel ETT from the ETTs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Pil Kim, Kyung Mee Lee
  • Patent number: 8798286
    Abstract: A method includes receiving input from a remote control device at a set-top box device. The input identifies media content that includes audio content and video content. The input also indicates that the audio content is to be output via an audio output device coupled to the set-top box device without sending the video output from the set-top box device to an external display device coupled to the set-top box device. The method includes determining whether the media content is stored at a local memory device of the set-top box device. When the media content is stored at the local memory device, the method includes retrieving the media content from the local memory, sending a first audio signal corresponding to the audio content of the media content to the audio output device and blocking output of the video content to the external display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zesen Chen, Peter Chou, Steve Aspell
  • Patent number: 8793744
    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: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventor: Juan Cordoba
  • Patent number: 8793717
    Abstract: Probabilistic methods and apparatus to determine the state of a media device are described. An example method to determine the state of a media device includes processing a first output signal from a first sensor measuring a first property of the media device to generate a first parameter value and processing a second output signal from a second sensor measuring a second property of the media device to generate a second parameter value. Next, the example method includes combining first conditional probabilities of the first parameter value and the second parameter value to determine a first state probability for the first state of the media device and combining second conditional probabilities of the first parameter value and the second parameter value to determine a second state probability for the second state of the media device. Then, determining the state of the media device by selecting the greater of the first state probability or the second state probability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventor: Morris Lee
  • Patent number: 8793751
    Abstract: A video signal is provided to a set top box. An instruction to record a specified portion of the video signal, thereby creating a video sample, is provided to the set top box. The video sample is received from the set top box. Reference video corresponding to the video sample is obtained. A comparison of the video sample and the reference video is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventor: Paul A. Skelly
  • Patent number: 8793741
    Abstract: A digital television (DTV) signal for use in a DTV receiver includes an extended text table (ETT) which includes a header and a message body. The header includes a table identification extension field which serves to establish uniqueness of the ETT, and the message includes an extended text message (ETM). If the ETT is an event ETT, the table ID extension field includes an event identification which specifies an identification number of an event associated with the ETT. On the other hand, if the ETT is a channel ETT, the table identification extension field includes a source identification which specifies a programming source of a virtual channel associated with the ETT. A section-filtering unit included in the DTV receiver is able to use table identification extension fields of a plurality of ETTs for section-filtering a pertinent event or channel ETT from the ETTs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Pil Kim, Kyung Mee Lee
  • Patent number: 8793740
    Abstract: A digital television (DTV) signal for use in a DTV receiver includes an extended text table (ETT) which includes a header and a message body. The header includes a table identification extension field which serves to establish uniqueness of the ETT, and the message includes an extended text message (ETM). If the ETT is an event ETT, the table ID extension field includes an event identification which specifies an identification number of an event associated with the ETT. On the other hand, if the ETT is a channel ETT, the table identification extension field includes a source identification which specifies a programming source of a virtual channel associated with the ETT. A section-filtering unit included in the DTV receiver is able to use table identification extension fields of a plurality of ETTs for section-filtering a pertinent event or channel ETT from the ETTs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Pil Kim, Kyung Mee Lee
  • Patent number: 8789077
    Abstract: An approach is provided to facilitate network connectivity and consumption of broadband services. A data network connection is established by a set-top box. Sharing of the data network connection by a plurality of user devices is permitted by the set-top box. A credit count is maintained based on the sharing of the data network connection by the plurality of user devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Jianxiu Hao, Diego S. Rozensztejn, Zhiying Jin