For Displaying Additional Information Patents (Class 725/40)
  • Patent number: 9344891
    Abstract: In a first configuration, a UE receives, from a service provider, a certificate authority list. The certificate authority list is at least one of integrity protected or encrypted based on a credential known by the UE and the service provider and stored on a smartcard in the UE. The UE authenticates a server using the received certificate authority list. In a second configuration, the UE receives a user service discovery/announcement including a reception report configuration and an address of a server. The UE sends a protected reception report to the server based on the reception report configuration. In a third configuration, the UE receives a protected broadcast announcement and communicates based on the broadcast announcement. The broadcast announcement is at least one of integrity protected or encrypted based on a credential known by the UE and stored on a smartcard in the UE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Anand Palanigounder, Jun Wang, Xiaoxia Zhang, Gordon Kent Walker
  • Patent number: 9344764
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for facilitating initiation of communication actions in accordance with cable attributes. In one embodiment, cable attributes are referenced that indicate utilization of a cable device at a time a communication event is directed to a user device. The user device and the cable device may be associated with the same user. Communication actions to apply in accordance with the communication event are determined based on at least one of the cable attributes. Thereafter, the communication actions are initiated, for example, such that a user is provided with an indication of the communication event visually via the cable device and/or audibly via the user device, depending on the particular cable attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Wen Xue, Jay Douglas Cole, Talat Jamshidi, Sharon Lynn Woodrum, Philip Martin Kunkel
  • Patent number: 9332317
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for searching available programs in a broadcast system. A system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises a transmitter, transmitting a plurality of video programs and a program guide, the program guide comprising information related to the plurality of video programs, a receiver for receiving the plurality of programs and the program guide from the transmitter, a monitor, coupled to the receiver, for displaying at least a selected one of the plurality of video programs and for selectively displaying the program guide, and a remote control, coupled to the receiver, wherein the receiver accepts at least one input from the remote control, compares the information in the program to the at least one input, and presents a search result of programs from the plurality of programs having a matching characteristic with the at least one input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommi J. Iten, Eric J. Bennett, Christopher R. Roy, David P. Green, Kenny C. Chen
  • Patent number: 9326040
    Abstract: A data application providing server, a broadcasting server and a receiver for dynamically processing a data application and a digital broadcasting system including the same are disclosed wherein a data of a minimum quantity required for executing a data application is received and other data is received by a pull method to minimize a time required for receiving and executing the data application, and wherein a change in the data application is facilitated, and a stability of the execution of the data application is maintained and an execution speed is improved through a tread management or a task management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: SK PLANET CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wonjang Baek, John Kim, Seong Baek Lee
  • Patent number: 9319724
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes a media program distribution service system 1) receiving data representative of a plurality of scene tags specifying one or more media program scenes tagged by a plurality of end users of a media program distribution service, 2) aggregating the plurality of scene tags, 3) determining, based on a favorite scenes determination heuristic and the aggregate scene tags, a set of one or more favorite scenes that are most popular among the plurality of end users of the media program distribution service, and 4) providing, based on the determined set of one or more favorite scenes, a favorite scene based feature of the media program distribution service. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Verizon and Redbox Digital Entertainment Services, LLC
    Inventors: Kirk M. Lewis, II, Brian F. Roberts
  • Patent number: 9288544
    Abstract: To share program data between a plurality of information providers, between which providers there exists a predetermined association, whereby a program schedule for each of the information providers can be acquired. The program-schedule-generating device stores program data provided by a plurality of information providers. The program-schedule-generating device specifies a subject user, who is an information provider to which program schedule data is to be transmitted, and specifies another information provider having a predetermined association with the user. The predetermined association referred to here is, for example, a condition in which users are members of an identical service (such as an SNS). The program-schedule-generating device extracts the program data provided by the information providers, generates program schedule data based on the program data, and transmits the program schedule data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: NTT DOCOMO, INC.
    Inventor: Daisuke Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 9271030
    Abstract: An exemplary system includes a media content processing subsystem configured to provide a program guide including a matrix of cells associated with a plurality of media content instances, and a selector object within the program guide. The selector object is configured to select one of the cells such that the cells in the matrix include a selected cell and at least one unselected cell. The subsystem is further configured to provide at least one image object within the at least one unselected cell. The image object represents the media content instance associated with the unselected cell. In certain embodiments, the image object includes a video content stream. The subsystem is further configured to provide a graphical user interface to a display for presentation to a user, the graphical user interface including at least a portion of the program guide and the image object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Heath Stallings, Brian F. Roberts, Donald H. Relyea
  • Patent number: 9270717
    Abstract: A wireless multimedia content brokerage service can provide for real time selective content extraction in a manner that allows users to easily obtain, at a mobile device, one or more portions of a real time multimedia composite content presentation. The brokerage service ensures that the experience is transparent from the point of view of the user, and additionally does not require any specific interaction between the user and the display, or interaction between the user and the content service provider (or providers). Instead, the brokerage service handles the transactional details involved in subscribing to content and in obtaining, formatting, and forwarding content to the mobile device. Additionally, since the content of interest is not forwarded from the display itself and since some embodiments of the system do not rely on any interactivity at the display to identify the display device or content, relatively unsophisticated display devices can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Qurio Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Neill, Christopher Amidon
  • Patent number: 9232255
    Abstract: A remote control and method of programming a remote control for controlling components in an entertainment system are disclosed. The remote control may operate in multiple modes including a limited mode that prevents the remote control from sending predetermined commands to one or more components, even when instructed to do so by the user. In addition, the remote control may issue one or more commands to each component in response to a single user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles W. Ergen, Michael T. Dugan, David A. Kummer, William M. Beals, Daniel L. Rudolph, Mark H. Gomez, Henry Gregg Martch, Adam C. Morzos
  • Patent number: 9226031
    Abstract: A broadcast programming receiver is provided which includes a broadcast programming interface, a memory, a communication network interface, and output circuitry. The broadcast programming interface is configured to receive broadcast programming, while the output circuitry is configured to transfer the broadcast programming to an output device. The memory is configured to store data related to the broadcast programming. In one embodiment, the communication network interface is configured to receive the data related to the broadcast programming over a communication network from a second broadcast programming receiver and transfer the data to the memory. In another implementation, the communication network interface is configured to receive the data from the memory and send the data over the communication network to a second broadcast programming receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: DISH Network L.L.C.
    Inventor: Anton H. Kirchner
  • Patent number: 9214914
    Abstract: Provided is a control program of an audio device which performs automatic control on the audio device so as not to interfere with a telephone call. A control unit of a mobile telephone equipped with a telephone communication unit is caused to function as an operation detector that detects a user operation, an incoming call detector that detects an incoming telephone call to the telephone communication unit, and a command transmitter that communicates with an audio device that outputs a reproduced sound, and the command transmitter transmits a command message containing control contents corresponding to the user operation to the audio device when the operation detector detects the user operation, and transmits a command message for controlling the reproduced sound to the audio device when the incoming call detector detects the incoming telephone call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Keisuke Tsukada
  • Patent number: 9196309
    Abstract: Systems and/or methods are provided that facilitate surveying media sources in a media entertainment system. An index component can provide an index of a set of available media sources in the media entertainment system. In addition, a selection component can displays the set of available media sources and receive selection requests for a subset of the available media sources. Further, a preview component can display a sample of media generated by the selected subset of media sources prior to active engagement thereof. Moreover, one or more aspects can be implemented in a vehicle entertainment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Gene Schultz, Douglas C. Campbell, Eric Sean Deuel, Stephen Todd Sanders
  • Patent number: 9197690
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for transmitting content to users. In some implementations, a system can include a session manager operable to initiate a unicast session with an end user device over a dedicated channel and to transmit a unicast multimedia stream associated with the unicast session. The unicast multimedia stream can include service identifier that is recognizable to the end user. The system can also include an interface operable to receive a transmission command that includes the end-user recognizable service identifier, and to transmit the content associated with the multimedia stream to the end user device in response to the content transmission command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Ran Oz, Adi Molkho
  • Patent number: 9183502
    Abstract: A rule input to generate a rule is received. The rule provides an action for an event. A content experience engine generates the rule for a set of content. The content experience engine receives an interaction input based upon the set of content from the content experience configuration. The content experience engine generates an enhanced set of content based upon the rule and the interaction input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Multipop LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Lamb, Alexander Lemay, Steven E. Harshbarger
  • Patent number: 9136958
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product are provided in connection with facilitating hybrid unicast/broadcast service distribution. In one example, a communications device is equipped to provide a parity portion of titles in a channel of a service to a plurality of UEs at a first time, receive, from a UE at a second time, a request to access a title of the one or more titles, and provide an enablement item, to the requesting UE, which is a portion of the requested title that, when processed with the provided parity portion of the requested title, is sufficient to allow the requesting UE to decode and access to the requested title. In an aspect, the parity portion may be a parity portion of a fountain code encoded title, and the enablement item may be repair symbols of the fountain code encoded title.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Gordon Kent Walker, Charles N. Lo, Chaitali Gupta, Matthew Stuart Grob, Nagaraju Naik, Jun Wang, Michael G. Luby
  • Patent number: 9137581
    Abstract: A video recording/playing device includes a trending word acquiring portion that acquires, from the Internet, a trending word for which a search frequency is rising, and a program information searching portion that searches a program information database for program information that includes the trending word.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 9123241
    Abstract: In V2V or other networks in which multiple video feeds are available to a participant, the participant's ability to select a particular video feed for display can be eased through the use of guided scanning. A guided scanning strategy is built based on operator inputs and used to select a particular set of video feeds that are initially shown as a video “slideshow” on the display used by the participant. Each video feed appears only for a limited period of time to enable easy participant review. Once the participant sees a particular video feed of interest, that video feed to can be selected for persisted presentation on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Travis M. Grigsby, Steven Michael Miller, Pamela Ann Nesbitt, Lisa Anne Seacat
  • Patent number: 9113109
    Abstract: Collection and concurrent integration of supplemental information related to currently playing media. Based on certain characteristics associated with the media, additional information related thereto is identified and output along with the media itself. This provides an enhanced experience for a user, in that, this supplemental information augments the presentation of the media to the user. Such supplemental content can be any one or combination of a wide variety of types including textual information, image content, audio content, video content, etc. This supplemental content may be output automatically in conjunction with the media (e.g., when such media is being output). Alternatively, the supplemental content may be output upon the authorization of a user. The supplemental content may be output in a predetermined location (e.g., location within a video display). Alternatively, such supplemental content may be output within an unused (or infrequently used) area of such a video display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Bennett, Jeyhan Karaoguz
  • Patent number: 9100665
    Abstract: A hospitality media system includes a plurality of set-top boxes (STBs) coupled to a radio frequency (RF) coax network. Each STB has an identifier for identifying the STB. A content source broadcasts media content to the STBs utilizing the RF coax network and an update server distributes software data to the STBs. The software data causes a particular STB to perform a media function customized for the particular STB according to the identifier of the particular STB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Guest Tek Interactive Entertainment Ltd.
    Inventors: Brendan G. Cassidy, Gary R. Court, Lindsey M. Carriere, Brian W. King, Darren T. Ziebart, Michael D. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 9100691
    Abstract: A digital content display system and a method for providing information during a channel zapping delay are provided. The information providing method includes receiving information to be displayed during a channel zapping delay; displaying the information during the channel zapping delay, when performing a channel switching operation to a new channel; and outputting content corresponding to the new channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hyungjin Seo
  • Patent number: 9083999
    Abstract: Electronic program guides are generated using device information, content authorization, service levels, and/or interest levels, etc., for a particular user. A viewer can access a user specific electronic program guide on a mobile device, continue accessing the user specific electronic program guide on a computer system, and subsequently move to a large screen television the same electronic program guide. The same user specific electronic program guide may be provided or adjustments to the electronic program guide can be made to account for varying service levels and device capabilities of the different devices. A user may be authorized to view a particular channel on a mobile device but not on a large screen television. In particular examples, a user can seamlessly access a user specific electronic program guide across a variety of authenticated devices associated with a variety of service levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: MobiTV, Inc.
    Inventor: Kay Johansson
  • Patent number: 9082046
    Abstract: An image file for storing a still digital image and metadata related to the still digital image, the image file including digital image data representing the still digital image, and metadata that categorizes the still digital image as an important digital image, wherein the categorization uses a range of levels and the range of levels includes at least three different integer values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 83 LLC
    Inventors: Tomasz A. Matraszek, Elena A. Fedorovskaya, Serguei Endrikhovski, Kenneth A. Parulski
  • Patent number: 9066140
    Abstract: It is disclosed a video system comprising a video unit (101) and an external device (106) operable by the same user of the video unit (101). The video unit (101) comprises a video receiver (114) for receiving video signals and a decoder (115) operatively connected to the video receiver (114) to decode the received video signals, a control unit (113) configured to generate an interactive interface to be displayed on a first screen and to display one of the received video signals on the first screen, a receiving unit (112) operatively connected to the control unit (113) to receive a selection of the user when the interactive interface is displayed, a data unit (114) operatively connected to said control unit (113) for transmitting data to the external device (106). The external device (106) comprises a connection unit for connecting to an external network (105) and a screen for displaying data retrieved from the external network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: ADVANCED DIGITAL BROADCAST S.A.
    Inventors: Wojciech Lazarski, Marek Olejniczak, Paul Bristow
  • Patent number: 9055337
    Abstract: Presence detection having granularity sufficient to passively facilitate personalizing services according to particular individuals. Wireless signaling associated with individuals may be assessed to determine individual presence relative to a particular servicing device. The services accessed through the servicing device may be personalized according to an arrival and a departure of the individuals in order to vary services according to individual presence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Cable Television Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Isaac Elliott, Garey Hassler
  • Publication number: 20150150050
    Abstract: A television controlled by a remote controller and including includes an infrared (IR) module to receive an IR signal from the remote controller; a radio frequency (RF) module to receive an RF signal from the remote controller; a network interface to receive metadata corresponding to a content to be displayed on a screen, the metadata including thumbnail image information, title information, actor information, genre information and synopsis information corresponding to the content; and a controller configured to change a power-off state of the television into a power-on state of the television based on the received IR signal and control a display to display a thumbnail image corresponding to the content based on the received metadata on the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Ryoung KIM, Jihe SUK, Gowoon CHOI
  • Patent number: 9043837
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes a media service provider system 1) providing an end user of an integrated media service with access to a media program by way of a plurality of different media distribution models, 2) maintaining a catalog that includes comprehensive information about the media program, the comprehensive information being an aggregate of non-redundant information about the media program obtained from a plurality of independent source catalogs corresponding to the plurality of different media distribution models, and 3) providing, based on the comprehensive information included in the catalog, a media service user interface that supports discovery of the comprehensive information about the media program regardless of a user interface context from which a user request for information about the media program is received. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Verizon and Redbox Digital Entertainment Services, LLC
    Inventors: Brian F. Roberts, Imran Arif Maskatia, Paul Bradley Bowers, Jeffrey L. Harris
  • Publication number: 20150143408
    Abstract: A content service provider can transmit a plurality of content streams each including audio, video, or audio-video content to a plurality of premises. In addition, the content service provider can transmit one or more command streams, along with the plurality of content streams over a common content distribution network. The one or more command streams may each include a repeating set of premises automation commands. The premises automation commands may be sent to one or more appropriate systems if a user selects a channel associated with the corresponding command stream. Each set of premises automation commands may be configured to instruct a system at a premises to perform a function. The commands may, for example, instruct a lighting system to turn on/off lights, a security system to enter an arm or disarm operational state, a thermostat to adjust its temperature, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Sallas
  • Publication number: 20150143423
    Abstract: Disclosed are a device control apparatus, method, and system based on a user interface that reflects a user's intention. The apparatus may includes a user interface processing unit for displaying a user interface, including a content selection unit for selecting content and first and second control icons, on the touch screen of a first device, generating a selection icon indicating that the content has been selected when a signal to select the content selection unit is received from the touch screen, and displaying the selection icon on the touch screen and a transmission unit for sending a message, requesting that the content be displayed on a screen of a second device either in full screen mode or PIP mode, to the second device when at least part of the selection icon enters the first control icon or the second control icon is detected by the touch screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: HUMAX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sung Heum PARK
  • Patent number: 9038104
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a system and method for providing a program guide for past programming comprising receiving a user command to retrieve program data, retrieving the program data from a data source, and outputting, to a display device, the program data in response to receiving the user command. The program data may comprise information relating to previously-aired programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Angiolillo, Angel Cordero, Xi Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150135218
    Abstract: A display apparatus and a method of controlling a display apparatus are provided. The display apparatus includes a display configured to display a content and a controller configured to control the display to display the content by adding content-related information, that is generated based on at least one of user preference information and a user viewing trend, to the content. In addition, the content-related information may be generated based on at least one of user preference information and a user viewing trend.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: So-yon YOU, Hee-won KU, Youn-ji SHIM, Sung-jun HWANG, Young-in PARK, Hee-kyoung SEO
  • Publication number: 20150135221
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving an identification of a media program from a broadcast channel on an electronic program guide for inclusion in a personalized channel, adding the identified program to a personalized channel at a first time, and adding one or more additional programs to the personalized channel at times other than the first time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Richard C. Gossweiler, III, Mehran Sahami, Manish G. Patel, John Blackburn, David A. Brown, Neha Gupta, Thomas H. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20150135219
    Abstract: A display apparatus and a method for scheduling a broadcast using the same. The broadcast scheduling method includes generating a program information table, in which broadcast information is arranged, if a broadcast program selected by a user in the program information table is moved into an area adjacent to an icon, displaying the broadcast program being added to an item folder, and scheduling the broadcast program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Won-il KIM, Yong-hwan KWON, Joon-hwan KIM, Heui-jin KWON, Chang-soo LEE, Jeong-yeon LEE, Victor SZILAGYI
  • Patent number: 9032293
    Abstract: A media type currently associated with a multiple media player device is determined by the multiple media player device. A current setting status associated with each of a set of adjustable options associated with the determined media type is determined. A set of option icons that each represents one of the set of adjustable options is identified. Each identified option icon is paired with the associated current setting status of each adjustable option. A menuing input is detected. An overlay user interface menu, including only one option icon and the associated current setting status pair, is displayed over full-screen content on a display. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Seth Hill, Steven Friedlander, Sabrina Yeh, Hyehoon Yi
  • Patent number: 9032463
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing content in a broadcast system is provided. Upon receipt of a request for synchronization from a mobile terminal, a set-top box creates a recommended content list based on user information received from the mobile terminal and delivers the recommended content list to the mobile terminal. The set-top box receives from the mobile terminal a content list, selected from the recommended content list and included in a Personal Information Management System (PIMS) updated using the recommended content list. The set-top box determines whether a user of the mobile terminal intends to view content from the received content list at a start time of the content. Upon receipt of view acceptance information from the mobile terminal, the set-top box sends a request for the content to a service provider at the start time, receives the requested content from the service provider, and provides the received content to the mobile terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jun-Hyung Kim, Bo-Sun Jung, Sang-Hyuk Lee, Ji-Eun Keum, Jong-Hyo Lee, Sung-Oh Hwang
  • Patent number: 9032437
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for providing enhanced entertainment data. For instance, in one embodiment, a computer implemented method for providing enhanced entertainment data includes receiving a request for additional information related to a selected show and displaying the additional information, which includes a list of selectable merchandise associated with the selected show, in response to the request. In one embodiment, the method presents information related to a selected merchandise and an option for a user to purchase the selected merchandise. The method may further include retrieving a billing address associated with a subscriber account associated with the user in response to receiving a purchase request for the selected merchandise and placing an order for the selected merchandise using the billing address. The method may also include billing the order as part of a monthly service charge to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. LaFreniere, David Emerson, Kelsyn Rooks
  • Patent number: 9032439
    Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Mark T. Corl
  • Patent number: 9030610
    Abstract: High definition media content processing techniques are described in which enhanced media content rendering techniques may be performed to output high definition media content. In an implementation, luma keying may be provided to define clear pixels in a composite output using an optimum set of graphics processing instructions. In another implementation, techniques are described which may provide clear rectangles in a composite output of one or more video streams. Clear rectangles to appear in the composite output are configured by a media playback application. A texture is arrived at to represent a union of each of the clear rectangles and is applied to form the clear rectangles in the composite output. In another implementation, capture techniques are described in which an image to capture is resolved as strips to an intermediate texture and then from the texture to a capture buffer in system memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Estrop, Matthew C. Howard
  • Patent number: 9027061
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to receive from a media communication system metadata describing one or more marketable items depicted in a media program supplied by the media communication system, present images of the media program at a media presentation device without highlighting the one or more marketable items, present an icon at least at one of a remote controller managing operations of the media processor or the media presentation device to indicate a presence of the one or more marketable items in one or more of the images presented at the media presentation device, detect a selection of the icon, and highlight the one or more marketable items. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventor: Scott White
  • Patent number: 9027042
    Abstract: Methods of detecting and verifying the unauthorized use of media content using a telecommunication reception device which, in one embodiment, comprises interrupting a user's use of or access to media content; informing the user that the interruption can be eliminated after the user verifies his or her information through an electronic device; detecting the user's location based on the user's use of the electronic device; verifying whether user's location is within area where the use of the media content is permitted; verifying whether the user is authorized by the content owner to receive the media content and allowing the user to resume the use of media content once the user passes the verification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventors: Wayne D Lonstein, Julie C Lonstein
  • Patent number: 9027055
    Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Mark T. Corl
  • Patent number: 9027054
    Abstract: Provided is a method and system for displaying video streams, including receiving video data from a plurality of video stream by a frame controller in communication with a television display including a first picture and a second picture, and also receiving a television program summary list. The television program summary list includes television program data corresponding to the received video streams, and displaying the television program summary list in the second picture, and allowing the selection of a program from the television program summary list by a consumer, and displaying the selected video stream in the first picture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: TP Lab, Inc.
    Inventors: Chi Fai Ho, Shin Cheung Simon Chiu
  • Publication number: 20150121426
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for providing an enhanced media presentation. In one embodiment, an enhanced media presentation is provided. To provide the enhanced media presentation, one or more content items associated with subject matter associated with a segment of an enhanced media presentation are identified. Each content item may be associated with at least one uniform resource identifier. Then, a content object based at least in part on at least one content item is created. The content object is an abstract representation of the content item. The content object can be associated with the segment and provided for simultaneous displayed simultaneously with at least a portion of the segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Alex Wellen, Marisa Gallagher, Don Loheide, Michael Wise, Rajin Persaud, Michael Koetter, KC Estenson, Dave Ehlers, Chris Hinton, Michael Quigley, Jeremy Legg, Scott Teissler
  • Patent number: 9021531
    Abstract: Using a TV, a viewer watching broadcast TV or Internet video content on a display can select a “Video Search” application indicating viewer desire to obtain information about a currently playing video program. The application is invoked to send a name of the currently playing video program to a server on the Internet and associated with a database to cause the server to execute a search only of the database associated with the Internet server and not to execute a search of the Internet. The server returns metadata related to the currently playing video program, which is presented on the display along with the currently playing video program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Seth Hill, Jaime Chee, Ted Mark Dunn
  • Patent number: 9021527
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for facilitating initiation of communication actions in accordance with cable attributes. In one embodiment, cable attributes are referenced that indicate utilization of a cable device at a time a communication event is directed to a user device. The user device and the cable device may be associated with the same user. Communication actions to apply in accordance with the communication event are determined based on at least one of the cable attributes. Thereafter, the communication actions are initiated, for example, such that a user is provided with an indication of the communication event visually via the cable device and/or audibly via the user device, depending on the particular cable attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Wen Xue, Jay Douglas Cole, Talat Jamshidi, Sharon Lynn Woodrum, Philip Martin Kunkel
  • Patent number: 9021525
    Abstract: There is provided a broadcasting receiving apparatus. The broadcasting receiving apparatus includes: a receiver which receives a broadcasting signal of a broadcasting channel; a UI generator which generates a data broadcasting UI; and a controller which controls the UI generator to generate a channel data broadcasting UI including a data broadcasting item corresponding to broadcasting contents of a tuned broadcasting channel if data broadcasting is received through the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hye-young Chang
  • Patent number: 9015759
    Abstract: A system and method for providing interactive content that is correlated to events of an entertainment program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: CBS Interactive Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Elend, Michelle Lynch, Joe Ferreira, Sean Tice
  • Patent number: 9015760
    Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Mark T. Corl
  • Patent number: 9015757
    Abstract: A merged program guide which includes program metadata from a plurality of different media controllers. A first media controller receives program metadata that identifies a first plurality of programs. The first plurality of programs corresponds to a first content package provided by a content provider. A first program record identifying a first program of the first plurality of programs is generated. The first program record includes first program metadata associated with the first program. The first program metadata is transmitted onto a network to make the first program metadata available to a second media controller. The first media controller receives second program metadata associated with a second program of a second plurality of programs which correspond to a second content package associated with the second media controller. The first program metadata and the second program metadata are stored in a program guide on the first media controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Eloy Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Juan A. Pons, Hugh Svendsen, Eugene Matthew Farrelly, Scott Curtis, Harold Sutherland
  • Patent number: 9015761
    Abstract: A computer system includes a display that displays an electronic program guide to a user. A data storage unit includes keywords related to television shows currently being broadcast. A server device is configured to retrieve real-time data related to a person of interest from the internet by monitoring messages that they generate. The server device can then identify one or more matches between the retrieved data and the stored keywords, and can output a modified electronic program guide including an indication of matching keywords. This can allow an electronic program guide to include an inference of the television show that a person of interest is likely to be watching or talking about online.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Beamly Limited
    Inventors: Kevin Wright, Kerry Jones
  • Publication number: 20150106848
    Abstract: Application gadget techniques are described. In an implementation, a remote control device includes a display device and one or more modules. The one or more modules are configured to initiate one or more control functions related to control of a display of content by a client. The one or more modules also provide an environment to execute one or more application gadgets such that an output of the one or more application gadgets is displayable on the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph J. Seidel, Nadav M. Neufeld