Satellite Video Distribution System Patents (Class 725/63)
  • Patent number: 8370284
    Abstract: A system for finding and presenting content items in response to keystrokes entered by a user on an input device having a known layout of overloaded keys selected from a set of key layouts. The system includes a database containing content items and terms characterizing the content items; input logic for receiving keystrokes from the user and building a string corresponding to incremental entries by the user, each item in the string having the set of alphanumeric symbols associated with a corresponding keystroke; mapping logic to map the string to the database to find the most likely content items corresponding to the incremental entries, the mapping logic operating in accordance with a defined error model corresponding to the known layout of overloaded keys; and presentation logic for ordering the most likely content items identified by the mapping logic and for presenting the most likely content items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Veveo, Inc.
    Inventors: Pankaj Garg, Sashikumar Venkataraman, Gopal Mishrimalji Rajpurohit
  • Patent number: 8363592
    Abstract: A transmitter apparatus at a base station transmits program information using a plurality of carriers with at least some of the carriers having different transmit power levels. The carrier associated with the highest transmit power level conveys broadcast information carrying basic program information. A carrier associated with a lower power level conveys broadcast information including enhancement information and/or additional content. The enhancement information and/or additional content may include a higher level of video and/or audio resolution, additional video and/or audio content, support for additional languages, a text stream, and/or advertisements. A wireless terminal tunes, receives and processes the broadcast information. A wireless terminal can recover different levels of resolution of a broadcast program, e.g., a digital video broadcast program, and/or different amounts of additional content, depending upon which carriers are being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Rajiv Laroia, Arnab Das, Junyi Li
  • Publication number: 20130007815
    Abstract: An event trigger data string is formulated and added to digital content for distribution to an audience via broadcast, satellite, cable or any other technology. The event trigger data string includes identification of an event source, identification of an operation to be performed, and a payload. A controller reads the data string and outputs a command to an appropriate event source for alteration of a digital content stream based upon the identified operation. The payload may, for example, identify an advertisement or notice to be spliced into or out of the digital content stream. Such event trigger data strings may be added to many different digital content streams, and a router or switching component may distribute the streams to systems that disseminate them to the audience. The technique enables interaction with different event sources, and allows command of multiple different operations by these event sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: NBCUniversal Media LLC
    Inventors: Keith Andrew Jackson, Michael George Duemo, Michael P. Slavik, Stephen J. Asay, Marcel Bautista
  • Patent number: 8346057
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a control block including a read control processor for reading designated content, a time information processor for processing time information. A controller returns, to a user terminal, a response signal, and information indicating a second absolute time point when an operation is executed in response to a request signal generated by the user terminal at a first absolute time point. The controller stores time difference information indicating a time difference between the first and the second absolute time points. When responding to a further request signal sent from the requester via the network, the controller sets, as tag time information, time information obtained by correcting, using the time difference information, a current relative time period for which the designated content is read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideo Kataoka, Hajime Aoyama
  • Patent number: 8345869
    Abstract: A communication system 100 includes a group of user devices, a first device separate from the group of user devices, a first satellite, a peer-to-peer network 130 in communication with the user devices and the satellite 106 and a content delivery network 120 in communication with the user devices. The content delivery network encrypts the content in response to a first encryption-decryption information and communicates the content to the plurality of user devices through a satellite. At each of the plurality of the group of user devices the content is encrypted in response to a second encryption-decryption information. A first user device communicates a content request to the group of user devices. At least one of the group of user devices communicates the content to the first user device through the peer-to-peer network. The first user device requests the encryption-decryption information from a content delivery network through a terrestrial network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: The DirecTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Raynold M. Kahn, Romulo Pontual, Robert G. Arsenault
  • Patent number: 8331849
    Abstract: A method for managing a digital multimedia broadcasting channel includes receiving a broadcast data frame that includes an occurrence change field, and performing a service update responsive to reconfiguration version data defined within the occurrence change field. Alternatively, the method includes transmitting a broadcast data frame that includes an occurrence change field, and causing a receiving terminal to perform a service update for a new channel responsive to reconfiguration version data defined within the occurrence change field. A digital multimedia broadcast terminal includes a receiver for receiving a broadcast data frame that includes an occurrence change field, and a controller configured to generate a control signal causing a service update responsive to reconfiguration version data defined within the occurrence change field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Hye Won Eum
  • Patent number: 8325277
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display; a receiver which receives a broadcasting signal including a program with a data format; an image processing part which processes the received program according to an available data format; and a controller which controls the image processing part to display a message informing that both data formats are not matched on the display if the data format of the received program is not matched with the available data format to be processed by the image processing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yeon-jung Choi, Dong-il Mo
  • Patent number: 8320823
    Abstract: For each audio and data service, a table of contents (TOC) specifies which logical channel may carry data. The TOC may be transmitted over the NRSC-5 transmission system using a pre-defined protocol, which is received and decoded at an NRSC-5 receiver apparatus that extracts the TOC. When a user or an application requests a specific service from the receiver, the receiver logic may examine the TOC and may identify which LC may carry the requested service data. The receiver may only decode the LCs that are needed for the requested service, and may not decode other unneeded LCs thereby conserving power and memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: SiPort, Inc.
    Inventor: Oren Arad
  • Publication number: 20120297425
    Abstract: An active play system and method are provided that allow a piece of content to be transferred between multiple content devices associated with the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: SMITH MICRO SOFTWARE, INC.
    Inventor: Brianerd Sathiananthan
  • Publication number: 20120278842
    Abstract: A television viewer interface system provides a viewer interface that allows the viewer to access different functions of a system. A highlight bar is responsive to the user's commands and is used to indicate the current menu item that can be selected by the user. Information is presented in a successive disclosure format where the user navigates through menus by moving the highlight bar to the right to obtain more information or to the left to see less information and return to the previous location. The background colors of each set of menus remains consistent throughout the user's experience such that the user intuitively knows what menu area he is in through the color cues. The invention provides indicators that tell the user that more information is available in a particular direction for a menu item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Howard Look, Robert Vallone, David Avraham Brown, Karen Bedard, Wijnand Van Stam, Ain McKendrick
  • Patent number: 8302133
    Abstract: A digital broadcasting system and a data processing method are disclosed. A receiving system of the digital broadcast system includes a mobile service data processor, a main service data processor, a controller, and a display module. The mobile service data processor receives mobile service data through a mobile service data path. Herein, the mobile service data configures an RS frame, and the RS frame includes mobile service data including a mobile A/V broadcast signal and at least one channel configuration information on the mobile service data. The main service data processor receives main service data through a main service data path. Herein, the main service data includes a main A/V broadcast signal and a program guide information of the main A/V broadcast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hui Sang Yoo, In Hwan Choi, Chul Soo Lee, Jae Hyung Song, Sang O Park
  • Patent number: 8300569
    Abstract: A method of processing broadcast data in a broadcast transmitter includes performing, by a Reed-Solomon (RS) encoder, RS encoding and Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) encoding on mobile service data and building at least primary RS frames belonging to a primary ensemble or secondary RS frames belonging to a secondary ensemble depending on RS frame mode information that indicates a single frame mode or a dual frame mode; mapping each of the built at least primary or secondary RS frames into groups, wherein each of the groups includes known data sequences, a fast information channel (FIC) segment, and transmission parameter channel (TPC) data; and transmitting a transmission frame containing the groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Hyung Song, In Hwan Choi, Jong Yeul Suh, Jin Pil Kim, Chul Soo Lee
  • Patent number: 8301971
    Abstract: A digital broadcasting system comprising of a digital broadcasting station, a set of digital broadcast receivers, and a switched network, wherein the digital broadcasting station transmits a digital signal to the set of digital broadcast receivers, and the digital broadcast receivers exchange error correction information with each other using the network to compensate errors in local receptions of the digital signal at each digital broadcast receiver location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Yang Liu
  • Patent number: 8295224
    Abstract: A wireless signal transceiver system for allowing wireless distribution of cable/satellite television and internet signals to a plurality of transceivers. The wireless signal transceiver system generally includes a primary unit and one or more secondary units. The primary unit of the present invention will generally be connected to a cable and/or satellite source via a wired connection. The primary unit will generally manipulate, filter and transfer television and/or internet signals to the one or more secondary units. Each secondary unit may be connected to a display device such as a television or a secondary device such as a personal computer or VOIP phone. Utilizing a primary transceiver on the primary unit and secondary transceivers on each secondary unit, a single primary unit may fulfill the functionality of a cable modem, wireless router and wireless television distributor without the need for multiple electronic devices or wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: Rick L. Deshong
  • Patent number: 8291445
    Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, a system includes a content provider subsystem providing media content over a closed media network and an open network. At least a subset of the media content provided over the closed media network is provided over the open network. The system further includes a user access subsystem communicatively connected to the closed media network and the open network. The user access subsystem is configured to access the media content over the closed media network and the open network and to process and provide at least a component of the accessed media content for presentation to a user. The user access subsystem includes a content processing device configured to decode the media content accessed over the closed media network and an expansion content processing device configured to decode the media content accessed over the open network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Roberts, Heath Stallings, Don Relyea, Ruchir Rodrigues, Sathya Bhaskaran, Ramakrishnan Ramaswamy Sankaranarayan
  • Patent number: 8290534
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for subscribing to a digital broadcasting service using mobile network subscription information in a system where a 3G (third generation) mobile communication network interacts with a DBS (digital broadcasting system) are provided. When a user requests subscription to the digital broadcasting service through a digital broadcasting-enabled mobile equipment, a DBS-CSCF (call session control function) in the 3G network transmits to an SAS (subscription agent server) of the DBS a service subscription request including the mobile subscription information or additional user personal information. The SAS processes the subscription and transmits information required for reception of the digital broadcasting to the mobile equipment. The mobile equipment changes its digital broadcasting reception setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Han-Na Lim, Jong-Hyo Lee, Un-Taek Lim, Sung-Jin Park, Ki-Ho Jung, Ju-Yeon Song, Jun-Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 8289898
    Abstract: Systems and methods for an integrated antenna and satellite dish. Exemplary embodiments include an apparatus, including a satellite dish, a wireless antenna coupled to the satellite dish and a coupling box communicatively coupled to the satellite dish and the wireless antenna. Additional exemplary embodiments include a content communication method, including receiving a satellite signal, receiving a first wireless signal, performing coupling box processing on the satellite signal and the wireless signal, transmitting the satellite signal and the wireless signal to a set top box and performing set top box processing on the satellite signal and wireless signal. Further exemplary embodiments include a content communication system, including a satellite dish for receiving content from a satellite, a wireless antenna for receiving content from a wireless network and a coupling box for processing the content from the satellite and the content from the wireless network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Samuel Zellner, Neale Hightower, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8255957
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating the apparent delays in a televised presentation between local program content and delayed program content received from a remote location, e.g., via satellite. Local and remote program signals are delayed by the system and method and then combined to provide an output program signal where there is no apparent delay between the content from the different program sources. The delay of the input signals is preferably automatically adjusted such that the start of the program output is not delayed and may be obtained by imperceptibly altering the input program content, e.g., using delay buffers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: The Buddy System, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Mattox
  • Patent number: 8243923
    Abstract: A system and method for providing conditional access authorizations in a satellite-receiving system includes generating a conditional access authorization signal and an expiration signal at a head-end 20, receiving the conditional access authorization signal at a fixed satellite receiver 54 or at a mobile satellite receiver 28. When the mobile satellite receiver operates in a predetermined time window before the expiration time, which is determined from the expiration signal, a warning 434 on a screen display 432 is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John Norin, Peter M. Klauss, Scott Casavant, Jorge Guzman
  • Patent number: 8239910
    Abstract: A video/audio system includes an interface device that receives a plurality of audio and video signals from a plurality of sources. The interface device combines these signals into various combinations and transmits the combinations to a receiver. The receiver is configured to interface one of the combinations of signals with a user. In this regard, the receiver allows the user to select one of the combinations, and in response, the receiver separates the video signal(s) of the selected combination from the audio signal(s) of the selected combination. Then, the receiver renders the video signal(s) via a display device and produces a sound defined by the audio signal(s) via a speaker. Accordingly, the user is able to control which set of audio and video signals are interfaced with the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Immersion Entertainment
    Inventors: Tazwell L. Anderson, Jr., Mark A. Wood
  • Patent number: 8238813
    Abstract: A broadcast satellite single wire interface. Such an interface comprises a low noise block amplifier module having multiple outputs, a plurality of filter banks, each filter bank coupled to each of the outputs of the low noise block amplifier module in a respective fashion and comprising a plurality of filters, and a plurality of analog-to-digital (A/D) converters, each A/D converter coupled to a filter in the plurality of filters in the plurality of filter banks in a respective fashion, wherein the A/D converters directly sample incoming downconverted broadcast satellite signals and the sampled incoming downconverted broadcast signals are output on a single wire in a stacked output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert F. Popoli
  • Publication number: 20120192237
    Abstract: A mobile wireless system includes a transmitter such as a satellite that broadcasts wireless signals such as boundaries for wireless networks to a mobile receiving device. Mobile receiving device may include an antenna. A locating receiver is used to generate locating signals so that a determination may be made to the location of the mobile receiving device. Preauthorizations may be obtained to allow the mobile receiving device to communicate back to business controller to enable functions such as pay-per-view or on-demand, interactive television, gaming, and the like. The preauthorizations enable access to various wireless networks as the mobile receiving device moves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean S. Lee
  • Patent number: 8228442
    Abstract: A digital broadcasting receiver having multiple tuners and a method of selecting a tuner in the digital broadcasting receiver. An embodiment of the present invention attempts to tune each tuner with transponder data of a satellite being connected to a digital broadcasting receiver having multiple tuners and selects one tuner to search channels according to the result of tuning. The transponder input procedure and the following tuner selection procedure can be omitted such that the tuner selection procedure can be simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: HUMAX Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ho Yi
  • Patent number: 8220015
    Abstract: An addressing device for transmitting satellite TV signal is electrically connected with a satellite down-converter and at least one STB installed at a subscriber end. When the subscriber activates the STB for playing satellite TV channel programs, the satellite down-converter receives satellite signals provide by a satellite system end and processes the satellite signals to generate baseband satellite TV signal for input into the addressing device. Next, the addressing device receives GPS signal indicating the position where it is installed and then addresses the GPS signal, further executing digital security processes to converting the area address into an address signal having the same transmission frequency as that of the baseband satellite TV signal. Finally, the address signal is mixed with the baseband satellite TV signal for output to the STB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Prime Electronics and Satellitics Inc.
    Inventor: Chieh-Pin Chang
  • Patent number: 8209726
    Abstract: A satellite transponder switch (STS) maintains a table that maps set-top boxes (STBs) to carrier frequencies. The STS receives a first request from a first STB for a first transponder band and a second request from a second STB for a second transponder band. The STS receives contact from the first STB on a control channel upon power-up of the first STB and in response to the contact from the first STB, assigns a first carrier frequency to the first STB. The STS frequency shifts the first transponder band to a first carrier frequency assigned to the first STB and the second transponder band to a second carrier frequency assigned to the second STB. The STS outputs a signal that comprises the frequency-shifted first and second transponder bands to the first STB and the second STB. The frequency-shifted first and second transponder bands are separated by a separation band. A first carrier frequency of the signal is unique to the first STB and a second carrier frequency of the signal is unique to the second STB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Dinesh Nadarajah, Ahmad C. Ansari
  • Patent number: 8199714
    Abstract: A method of transmitting a broadcast signal in a transmitter includes transmitting a transmission frame including a plurality of slots during which data groups of mobile data are transmitted, the mobile data being encoded through a Reed-Solomon (RS) frame and each row of a payload of the RS frame including a transport packet of the mobile data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Hyup Lee, In Hwan Choi, Jeong Woo Kim, Chul Soo Lee, Jae Hyung Song
  • Patent number: 8200149
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for combining transponder bandwidths comprises a wide-band virtual transponder for transmitting a single data stream. The wide-band virtual transponder is comprised of a plurality of narrow-band physical transponders. A plurality of elementary streams are statistically multiplexed to create the single data stream, wherein the single data stream is forward error correction encoded and demultiplexed into a plurality of transponder streams for transmission by the plurality of physical transponders. The physical transponders each use a different portion of a signal spectrum, wherein the different portion may be guard bands or a combination of legacy bands and guard bands. Upon receipt, the transponder streams are multiplexed to recover the single data stream, wherein the recovered single data stream is forward error correction decoded and statistically demultiplexed to recover the plurality of elementary streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Ernest C. Chen
  • Publication number: 20120131611
    Abstract: A method for execution by a customer premises receiver, comprising: receiving a signal that carries an original media stream; determining a location of the receiver; obtaining an identifier of an authorized region for the receiver; determining whether said location is contained within said authorized region; if said location is determined to be contained within said authorized region, outputting the original media stream for conveyance to a user; if said location is determined to not be contained within said authorized region, outputting a second media stream that is sufficiently corrupted relative to the original media stream as to degrade the user's viewing experience while being demonstrative of non-malfunctioning of the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: BCE INC.
    Inventors: Tet Hin Yeap, Patrick Neilly
  • Patent number: 8185927
    Abstract: A video transmission system includes a transceiver module that receives location data from a remote device and that transmits a video signal to the remote device. A network module receives a video stream from a video source and that generates the video signal based on the location data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Jeyhan Karaoguz, Sherman (Xuemin) Chen, Michael Dove, David Rosmann, Thomas J. Quigley, Stephen E. Gordon
  • Patent number: 8185041
    Abstract: A method and system for mobile vehicle content management. Content may be received wireless from a plurality of access technologies within a mobile vehicle. The content may be balanced from the plurality of access technologies to select the content from at least one access technology for decryption. The selected content may be provided to a receiver device for presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: John Kirby, Michael Raftelis, Edward Walter
  • Patent number: 8175515
    Abstract: A digital television terrestrial satellite conversion apparatus comprising a transformer assembly that houses a matching transformer, and an insulator assembly. A bolt assembly has mounting means to mount the transformer assembly and the insulator assembly onto a satellite dish assembly. Means to increase a digital radio frequency signal exists by reflective gain from a rear of an array for receiving terrestrial digital and high-definition broadcast signals by the satellite dish assembly. A bridge coaxial cable extends from the matching transformer. The bridge coaxial cable transmits the terrestrial digital and high-definition broadcast signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventor: Daniel Rivera
  • Patent number: 8165520
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a satellite system that will permit for the transmission of signals of two different frequencies and polarities to be transmitted simultaneously, also the system will accommodate two different polarity commands from two or more different sources at the same time. The satellite system of the present invention includes a satellite dish or antenna that receive signals. These received signals are then transmitted to a converter. A head-in frequency processor is coupled to the converter. This head-in frequency processor enables the different frequencies and polarities to be transmitted simultaneously via a single coaxial cable. This single coaxial cable is coupled to a head-out receiver processor which is connected to a receiver. This receiver is connected to a source. This unique design and configuration provides for the system that will permit for satellite broadcasting to occur in locations that are not in the line-of-sight path to the satellites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Global Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Green, Sr., Austin S. Coker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8160073
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a controller operable to receive signaling information from a local resource manager (LRM) identifying a recipient media processor (RMP) and describing at least one media characteristic of media content selected by an initiating media processor (IMP) to be presented at the RMP, determine a location of the RMP and a media capability of the RMP, compare the media capability of the RMP to the at least one media characteristic of the media content, determine a media configuration of at least one network element in an interactive television network based on the comparison, configure at least one network element of a virtual private network (VPN) based on the media configuration, and transmit signaling information to the LRM to enable the IMP to present the media content at the RMP over the VPN. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Troy C. Meuninck
  • Patent number: 8160734
    Abstract: A method of processing audio information for broadcast to an audience can include changing first audio information from occurring in a first time interval to occurring in a second time interval to provide time-changed audio information. The time-changed audio information can be combined with second audio information that is responsive to the first audio information to provide broadcast audio information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Todd D. Gatts
  • Patent number: 8149754
    Abstract: A digital broadcasting system and a data processing method are disclosed. The method includes receiving a data processing method includes receiving a broadcast signal in which main service data and mobile service data are multiplexed, acquiring transmission-parameter-channel signaling information including transmission parameter information of the mobile service data, and fast-information-channel signaling information, acquiring binding information describing a relationship between at least one ensemble transferring the mobile service data and a first virtual channel contained in the at least one ensemble by decoding the fast-information-channel, and acquiring status information of the first virtual channel, displaying content data contained in the mobile service data according to the binding information and the status information of the first virtual channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Hyung Song, In Hwan Choi, Jong Yeul Suh, Jin Pil Kim, Chul Soo Lee
  • Patent number: 8141119
    Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver and a control method thereof are disclosed. The control method of the digital broadcast receiver includes receiving a broadcast signal into which mobile service data and main service data are multiplexed, extracting transmission parameter channel (TPC) signaling information and fast information channel (FIC) signaling information from a data group in the received mobile service data, acquiring a program table describing virtual channel information and a service of an ensemble, which is a virtual channel group of the received mobile service data, using the extracted FIC signaling information, selectively detecting a first message descriptor mapped with time information or a second message descriptor not mapped with time information, using the acquired program table, performing a control operation to display a message defined in the detected message descriptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Hun Song, In Hwan Choi, Chul Soo Lee, Jae Hyung Song, Min Sung Kwak
  • Publication number: 20120066723
    Abstract: A system for distributing television/video signals to different locations comprises a server capable of providing digital television/video signals for a plurality of programmes, a plurality of receivers each at a respective one of said locations, and a network connecting the server to the receivers, each receiver being operable to select a required one of the programmes and to communicate the selection to the server, the server being responsive to such a selection to transmit the digital television/video signal for the selected programme over the network addressed to the receiver that selected that programme, and each receiver being responsive to the digital television/video signal that is addressed to that receiver so that point-to-point communication is established from the server to that receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Julian B. FISK, Kaushik KOTAK, Adam J. GARSTONE, Ian L. JAMIESON, Terry A. AUSTIN, Colin D. PLIMMER
  • Patent number: 8132214
    Abstract: A circuit, electrical device or other apparatus for band stacking and/or band translating multiple transmissions. Such transmissions may be satellite transmissions, terrestrial transmissions, signals carried across a wired network such as a cable network, and so forth. Two sets of left-hand polarized and right-hand polarized signals may be accepted by an embodiment. One left-hand polarized signal and one right-hand polarized signal may be band stacked such that the left-hand polarized signal occupies a first frequency and the right-hand polarized signal occupies a second frequency, thereby permitting the two signals to be transmitted simultaneously across a single transmission line as a first unique signal. The second left-hand polarized signal and second right-hand polarized signal may likewise be combined into a second unique signal for transmission. The first and second unique signals may be stacked as a first stacked output and a second stacked output by a band translating circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Edmund F. Petruzzelli
  • Publication number: 20120042345
    Abstract: One or more network devices receive, at a location outside a customer premises, a broadband signal from a base station of a wireless network and a satellite television signal from a satellite antenna. The one or more network devices combine, at the location outside the customer premises, the broadband signal with the satellite television signal in a single coaxial cable and send, via the single coaxial cable, the broadband signal and the satellite television signal to one or more devices inside the customer premises.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Lee K. TJIO, Lalit Ratilal Kotecha, Kamlesh S. Kamdar, Aref H. Iskandar, Sergio Aguirre, Raafat Edward Kamel
  • Patent number: 8116276
    Abstract: A digital broadcast receiving system and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. The method a method for controlling a digital broadcast receiving system includes the steps of receiving a broadcast signal having mobile service data and main service data multiplexed therein, extracting transmission parameter channel (TPC) signaling information and fast information channel (FIC) signaling information from a data group within the received mobile service data, acquiring a program table, by using the IP signaling channel within an ensemble included in the received broadcast signal, and controlling the system to create a list of channels mapped with all ensembles transmitted through at least one physical frequency, by using the acquired program table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Hyup Lee, In Hwan Choi, Jeong Woo Kim, Chul Soo Lee, Jae Hyung Song
  • Publication number: 20120034912
    Abstract: A device monitors temperature readings from a sensor associated with an outdoor broadband unit. When the temperature readings increase above a stored threshold value, the device sends, to a device at a core network, an alert signal that invokes, at the core network, an emergency profile associated with the outdoor broadband unit. When the temperature readings decrease below the stored threshold value, the device sends, to the device at the core network, a normal signal that invokes, at the core network, a default profile associated with the outdoor broadband unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.
    Inventors: Kamlesh S. Kamdar, Raafat Edward Kamel, Sergio Aguirre, Lalit Ratilal Kotecha
  • Publication number: 20120036542
    Abstract: A handheld multimedia device connect to the internet to obtain internet content and transmits formatted content, including internet content, to a display, such as a television. Thus, users of the multimedia device have a platform for watching internet television or movies, listening to internet music, and otherwise experiencing internet content without the need to connect a conventional computer to the television. Moreover, in some embodiments, multimedia device allows for seamless interaction with the internet by using the devices as a pointing device—users point the device where they desire a cursor to be on the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: Reverge Studios, Inc.
    Inventors: Emil Stefanov Dotchevski, Richard Darrel Wyckoff
  • Patent number: 8099518
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for implementing asynchronous portal pages, comprising a portlet monitor resident on a web browser and implemented with a script. When a user interacts with a portlet, the portlet monitor sends a XMLHTTP request to the portal server. The portal server obtains the corresponding web contents from the corresponding portlet based on the request. Then, the web contents are modified and the HTTP requests therein are redirected to XMLHTTP requests. The portlet monitor uses the modified web contents to refresh the web contents of the corresponding portlet in the portal page without reloading the whole portal page. Besides, after the user submits a request for a portlet, during waiting for the portlet being refreshed, the user may continue to interact with other portlets. Thus, the present invention has the abilities of partially refreshing and asynchronous communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bin Dong, Xu Guang Gu, Tie Li, Yue Ma
  • Patent number: 8095068
    Abstract: When an RF signal is output, noise is prevented from appearing in the RF signal without degrading convenience. The MPU of the set top box has a functionally of an RF determination portion, which determines whether or not the RF signal is being output, the antenna setting portion, which if it is determined by the RF determination portion that the output of the RF signal is started, sets a smart antenna to preset one direction of a first predetermined number of directions and to preset one gain of a second predetermined number of steps of gains, and a change prohibition portion which prohibits a change of a direction and gain of the smart antenna if it is determined by the RF determination portion that the RF signal is being output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8087052
    Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver and a control method thereof are disclosed. The control method of the digital broadcast receiver includes receiving a broadcast signal into which mobile service data and main service data are multiplexed, extracting TPC signaling information and FIC signaling information from a data group in the received mobile service data, acquiring a program table defining a mapping relation between each of all ensembles transmitted at a physical frequency and at least one virtual channel corresponding to the ensemble, using the extracted FIC signaling information, and detecting IP address information required for channel tuning to the at least one virtual channel corresponding to the ensemble, using the acquired program table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Hyup Lee, In Hwan Choi, Chul Soo Lee, Jae Hyung Song, Jeong Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 8068423
    Abstract: A system and method for processing multiple client flows to a single outbound link is provided. Specifically, a scheduler enforces a maximum symbol rate on the aggregate output flow. Inbound client flows are scheduled for output based upon individual quality of service parameters. For each round of scheduling, packets configured for a first bandwidth range are processed in a first pass and packets configured for a second bandwidth range are processed in a second pass. The packets are placed into frames before transmission. A comparison of the actual symbol usage with the estimated symbol is made and used to determine how to schedule inbound client flows for the second pass of the round.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Ericsson Television, Inc
    Inventor: Xiaoguang Li
  • Patent number: 8068927
    Abstract: A method of processing audio information for broadcast to an audience can include changing first audio information from occurring in a first time interval to occurring in a second time interval to provide time-changed audio information. The time-changed audio information can be combined with second audio information that is responsive to the first audio information to provide broadcast audio information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Todd D. Gatts
  • Patent number: 8060571
    Abstract: A method of sharing audio/visual content is presented. In the method, the audio/visual content is received from an audio/visual content source at an audio/visual content receiver by way of a content channel selection resource of the receiver, and stored therein. A message is transmitted from the receiver to a communication node, wherein the message indicates that the audio/visual content is available for viewing by a selected user. The communication node notifies the selected user of the message by way of a communication device associated with the selected user. In response to receiving a request for the audio/visual content from the communication device, the communication node facilitates a communication connection between the receiver and the communication device. The audio/visual content is transmitted from the receiver to the communication device over the communication connection. At the communication device, the audio/visual content is then presented to the selected user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Sling Media, Inc.
    Inventor: Padmanabha R. Rao
  • Patent number: 8050298
    Abstract: A digital broadcasting receiver and a stream processing method are provided. The digital broadcasting receiver includes a demodulator which demodulates a received transmission stream and an equalizer which equalizes the transmission stream, wherein the transmission stream includes at least one field which includes additional data stream packets and normal data stream packets, wherein the transmission stream is constituted such that at least a portion of packet data of the additional data stream packets is included in an area disposed in each packet of at least one of the normal data stream packets, and wherein the additional data stream packets are inserted into the area after being encoded and interleaved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-pil Yu, Hae-Joo Jeong, Eui-jun Park, Joon-soo Kim, Yong-sik Kwon, Jin-Hee Jeong, Yong-cleok Chang, Kum-rar Ji, Jong-hun Kim
  • Patent number: 8046816
    Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver and an upgrading method thereof that can achieve an upgrade stabilization. The digital broadcast receiver includes a tuner to receive broadcast data of a selected channel, a demultiplexer to separate new middleware data and information data corresponding to the new middleware data from the broadcast data, a memory to pre-store previous middleware data and to store the new middleware data and the information data, and a controller to determine whether to store the new middleware data in the memory based on the information data. If storage of the new middleware data is completed, the controller checks whether an upgrade is successful by executing the new middleware data, and if the upgrade fails, the controller executes the previous middleware data pre-stored in the memory. Thus, the receiver upgrades the received middleware program in a stable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yang-soo Kim