For Digital Signal Patents (Class 725/70)
  • Patent number: 8549564
    Abstract: A wireless access system comprises a base station and a control system. The base station wirelessly broadcasts a pilot signal including a network access provider identifier that identifies a wireless video service. The base station wirelessly receives a wireless video uplink request from a wireless video device in response to the pilot signal. The control system processes reservation data for the base station to determine if the wireless video device has a current wireless video uplink reservation and directs the base station to provide a wireless video uplink to the wireless video device if the wireless video device has the current wireless video uplink reservation. The base station wirelessly receives video data from the wireless video device over the wireless video uplink as directed by the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: John Michael Everson, Jarrod A. Nichols, Jason R. Delker, Bradley Allen Kropf
  • Patent number: 8522037
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for user authentication required for conducting online financial institution transactions. The disclosed embodiments leverage the capabilities of platforms other than conventional personal computers and laptops, such as gaming consoles and wireless devices. Unique intrinsic user activities, such as controller motions or activities, built-in hardware signatures or other input data are used as the authentication mechanism, so as to provide a higher degree of security in the overall authentication process by lessening the likelihood of password replication or interception during network communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel P. Shnowske, William Treadwell, Todd Keith Inskeep, Helene Urban Mele
  • Publication number: 20130205349
    Abstract: A satellite reception assembly may comprise a housing configured to support receipt and handling of a plurality of satellite signals. The housing may comprise circuitry incorporating integrated stacking architecture for supporting and/or providing channel and/or band stacking whereby particular channels or bands, from multiple satellite signals that are received via the satellite reception assembly, may be combined onto a single output signal that may be communicated from the satellite reception assembly to a gateway device for concurrent distribution thereby to a plurality of client devices serviced by the gateway device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Glenn Chang, Brian Sprague, Madhukar Reddy
  • Patent number: 8452228
    Abstract: A media device including includes a broadcast receiver that receives broadcast media from a plurality of broadcast sources where the broadcast receiver is tunable to a first broadcast source. The media device also includes a data store that stores a list of contact identifiers where each contact identifier is associated with a broadcast source. The media device includes a user interface that: i) provides a prompt to a user to enable the user to initiate contact with the first broadcast source, and ii) receives a user indication to initiate contact with the first broadcast source. The media device further includes a transceiver that initiates the contact with the first broadcast source by sending a communications session request via a communications network to the first broadcast source that includes a contact identifier associated with the first broadcast source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Allen P. Haughay, Jr., Ryan Perry
  • Patent number: 8442584
    Abstract: Provided are a method and an accessory apparatus for receiving and reproducing DMB data. The DMB accessory apparatus receives DMB data, converts data formats of the received DMB data into multimedia data formats which can be reproduced by a typical mobile terminal, and transmits the DMB data converted into the mobile terminal reproducible data formats to the mobile terminal. Accordingly, even a mobile terminal, which does not have a function of receiving and reproducing DMB data, can reproduce the DMB data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Seong-Han Jeong, Ki-Tae Lee, Gi-Sok Oh
  • Patent number: 8387104
    Abstract: A method and a device for transmitting a transport stream according to a digital television-transmission standard for stationary and/or mobile receivers with program and service data for a national and a regional broadcast determines the transmission capacity in the transport stream provided in each case for the national and the regional broadcast through a first multiplexer within a centrally positioned headend. The first multiplexer then fills the transport stream with program and service data for national broadcast within the transmission capacity of the transport stream provided for the broadcast and marks the transmission capacity provided within the transport stream for the regional broadcast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Rusch-Ihwe, Norman Herzog
  • Patent number: 8352994
    Abstract: A method and system for test monitoring video assets provided by a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes an expert test monitoring platform (ETMP) configured to emulate MCDN client systems at a facility of an MCDN service provider. The ETMP may be used to test monitor MCDN performance by acquiring a baseband video signal and performing a test operation. The test operation may involve determining if a video freeze event and/or an audio freeze event has occurred with respect to the baseband video signal. In one example, detection of both an audio and a video freeze event may determine a freeze event for an MHD. After a freeze event is detected, the MHD may be restarted. The freeze event may be logged as a result of the test operation. A predetermined network address may be sent a notification of the freeze alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Hung John Pham, John Clayton Clark, IV
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120297427
    Abstract: A system and method in a broadband receiver (e.g., a satellite television receiver) for efficiently receiving and processing signals, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Glenn Chang, Timothy Gallagher, Sridhar Ramesh
  • Patent number: 8316401
    Abstract: A method for processing program information and a broadcast receiver are disclosed. The method includes selecting a program from a service guide screen, identifying a group to which the selected program belongs, and displaying a group list of programs included in a signaling table that signals information of the identified group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kwan Suk Kim, Hyeon Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 8302131
    Abstract: A method of receiving and processing a Non-Real Time (NRT) service and a broadcast receiver are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Yeul Suh, Gomer Thomas, Jae Hyung Song, Jin Pil Kim, Ho Taek Hong, Joon Hui Lee
  • Publication number: 20120240169
    Abstract: Certain aspects of a method and system for satellite communication are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include a receiver that handles digital broadcasting. The receiver may be enabled to dynamically vary spacing between two or more pilots and/or the size of one or more pilots within at least one frame based on a determined symbol rate. The size of each of a plurality of received programs may be determined and the spacing between two or more pilots may be dynamically varied based on the determined size of each of the plurality of received programs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tommy Yu
  • Patent number: 8270996
    Abstract: A receiving system comprises a first module configured to receive location information identifying current location of the receiver, a second module configured to receive a broadcasting signal including cell information which includes first information defining a location of each cell and second information defining a transport channel of each cell, extract the cell information, select a cell according to the extracted cell information, tune to a transport channel of the selected cell, and processing a broadcast transported from the tuned transport channel, a storage medium, and a controller configured to control to extract the cell information which is matched with the received location information, select the cell, tune to the transport channel of the selected cell, and process the broadcast transported from the tuned transport channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: In Jae Lim, In Hwan Choi, Kook Yeon Kwak, Byoung Gill Kim, Won Gyu Song, Jong Moon Kim, Jin Woo Kim, Hyoung Gon Lee
  • 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: 20120198502
    Abstract: A receiver is used with third code blocks based on first code blocks, second code blocks, and a planning code block. The first code blocks are associated with a first sequence number and modulated with a first modulation scheme. The second code blocks are associated with a second sequence number and modulated with a second modulation scheme. The planning code block associates the third code blocks with the first code blocks and the second code blocks. The receiver includes a de-multiplexing portion, which includes a code block selector and a look up table, that outputs a de-multiplexed signal based on the third code blocks. The code block selector selects a code block from the third code blocks to output as the de-multiplexed signal based on entries in the look up table. The receiver also includes a recovery portion that outputs received code blocks based on the de-multiplexed signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: HUGHES NETWORKS SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Liming Qin, Marwan Adas, Prachi Raikar, David Roos, Yezdi Antia, Neal Becker
  • Patent number: 8230464
    Abstract: Disclosed in one embodiment is the use of a terrestrial media access control (MAC) chip or circuit in a satellite modem. The satellite modem comprises a satellite receiver, a satellite transmitter, an adaptor, and a terrestrial MAC chip. The adapter translates between the satellite physical layer and the physical layer of the terrestrial MAC chip. Protocols, messaging and signaling is spoofed for the terrestrial MAC chip such that it can be integrated into a satellite system. The received satellite signal is filtered so select one or more sub-channels that are fed to the terrestrial MAC chip. The terrestrial MAC chip could use a variety of physical layers, for example, Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS) or World Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: ViaSat, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Arthur Fitting
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120131618
    Abstract: A receiving device for receiving a satellite broadcast is disclosed which includes a receiver for receiving a sustaining satellite beam and a controller for switching the receiver to receive a high power content beam in response to a determination that the high power content beam can be received by the receiving device. A communication satellite can transmit the high power content beam to different geographical areas at different times. The sustaining beam allows the receiving device to remain synchronised with the communication satellite when the high power content beam is directed elsewhere. The sustaining beam may be a lower power beam. The determination that the high power content beam can be received may be performed based on information in the sustaining beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Donald Lester, Kevin Hodson
  • Patent number: 8161512
    Abstract: A method of receiving a broadcast signal including a Non-Real-Time (NRT) Receiver Targeting service is disclosed herein. A method of receiving a broadcast signal including a Non-Real-Time (NRT) Receiver Targeting service, the method comprises receiving broadcast signal including first signaling information and second signaling information, identifying an NRT service based on the first signaling information, parsing a Receiver Targeting Descriptor from the second signaling information, determining validity of the NRT service or an NRT content based on a targeting_criterion_type_code included in the Receiver Targeting Descriptor, and downloading the NRT service or the NRT content when a receiver determines the NRT service or the NRT content to be valid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Yeul Suh, Kwan Suk Kim, Gomer Thomas, Jae Hyung Song, Jin Pil Kim, Ho Taek Hong, Joon Hui Lee
  • Patent number: 8161513
    Abstract: A method of receiving a broadcast signal including a Non-Real-Time (NRT) service and a broadcast receiver are disclosed herein. A method of receiving a broadcast signal including an NRT service, the method comprises receiving a broadcast signal including first signaling information and second signaling information, identifying the NRT service based on the first signaling information, parsing the second signaling information to identify an Internet Protocol (IP) address of an NRT service signaling channel, receiving the NRT service signaling channel by accessing the IP address, and downloading a desired NRT service based on the NRT service signaling channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Yeul Suh, Gomer Thomas, Jae Hyung Song, Jin Pil Kim, Ho Taek Hong, Joon Hui Lee
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8116453
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for user authentication required for conducting online financial institution transactions. The disclosed embodiments leverage the capabilities of platforms other than conventional personal computers and laptops, such as gaming consoles and wireless devices. Unique intrinsic user activities, such as controller motions or activities, built-in hardware signatures or other input data associated with a gaming console are used as the authentication mechanism, so as to provide a higher degree of security in the overall authentication process by lessening the likelihood of password replication or interception during network communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel P. Shnowske, William Treadwell, Todd Keith Inskeep, Helene Urban Mele
  • Patent number: 8104060
    Abstract: The address information for reading the detailed information of a computer server which provides the detailed information of distribution information displayed on a predetermined display screen together with a single program or plural programs is transmitted with each program information, so as to realize an information transmitting method and a television broadcasting receiving apparatus which easily obtain, if necessary, the detailed information of the distribution information transmitted with each program information without storage of it at a receiving side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8103707
    Abstract: A system and method may include receiving a non-linear content identifier request. The system and method may further include identifying linear content metadata associated with the non-linear content identifier request, the linear content metadata representing at least one metadata keyword. The system and method also may include identifying a relationship between the at least one metadata keyword and at least one non-linear content keyword.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Hannah Y Moon, D. Beau Morley
  • 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: 8087058
    Abstract: A system for providing television (TV) service including high definition television (HDTV) service, and for providing verification that a subscriber has connected an HDTV to the system includes a TV service provider headend and a set top box (STB). The HDTV may have an HDTV digital video interface (DVI) interconnect. The STB may be electrically coupled to the headend and have an STB DVI interconnect. When the HDTV DVI interconnect is initially electrically coupled to the STB DVI interconnect, the HDTV generally presents a data signal to the STB and the STB generally presents the data signal to the headend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew D. Cohen
  • Publication number: 20110296470
    Abstract: Various designs of configurable multiswitch or multifeed satellite reception systems comprising switch-over matrices and transponder branches and “one cable solutions” which allow or do not allow subsequent expansion with respect to the subscribers that can be connected thereto are known from the prior art. In general, the costs for such systems comprising frequency converters are primarily determined by the frequency converters and the associated filters. The aim of the invention is to devise inexpensive methods or devices which allow detection of the complete frequency spectrum—even after subsequent expansions—and which therefore do not involve any restrictions with respect to the program range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2009
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: SCHWAIGER GMBH
    Inventor: Bernd KĂĽrten
  • Publication number: 20110271307
    Abstract: A machine-controlled method of evaluating a video data stream having multiple broadcast channels can include selecting at least two video frames for a particular channel, extracting the selected video frames from the video data stream, decoding the extracted video frames, comparing at least one of the decoded video frames to the other decoded video frame(s) or a previously stored video frame, and preparing an evaluation of the video data stream based on the comparing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: William Lewis Post, Richard G. Morgan, Paul Robinson, Kevin M. Ferguson, Colin Howard, George W. Tusing, Antoni Caceres, Allan Reid, Mark Barnes
  • Publication number: 20110258669
    Abstract: A transmitter is provided for use with a first input signal and a second input signal. The transmitter includes a first modulating portion, a second modulating portion and a multiplexing portion. The first modulating portion can output a first plurality of code blocks based on the first input signal, wherein each of the first plurality of code blocks has a first sequence number associated therewith and is modulated with a first modulation scheme. The second modulating portion can output a second plurality of code blocks based on the second input signal, wherein each of the second plurality of code blocks has a second sequence number associated therewith and is modulated with a second modulation scheme, and wherein the second modulation scheme is different than the first modulation scheme. The multiplexing portion can a third plurality of code blocks based on the first plurality of code blocks, the second plurality of code blocks and planning code block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Yezdi Antia, David Roos, Neal Becker
  • Patent number: 8042139
    Abstract: A method and system for configuring broadcast components includes a broadcast operation channel management system (BMS) forming a bit rate allocation chart and a compression control system storing a stream map having a channel lineup. The BMS retrieves the channel line up from the compression control system and modifying the channel lineup to form a modified channel line up. The BMS communicates the modified channel lineup to the compression control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Trang V Luu, Mark T Takamoto, Gilbert Zaldivar
  • Patent number: 8005117
    Abstract: A control data transmission and reception period of, for example, 1 ms is provided for each frame of a digital broadcast signal. The digital broadcast signal is intermittently transmitted. In the intermittent transmission, the transmitting device stops the digital broadcast signal from being sent during the control data transmission and reception period. At the same time, control data is transmitted during the control data transmission and reception period. In other words, a beacon signal is sent from a transmitting device to a wireless television receiver as control data, between the intermittent transmissions of the digital broadcast signal. Having received the beacon signal, the wireless television receiver returns a request signal to the transmitting device. As a result, communication between the transmitting device and the wireless television receiver can be established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Hanabusa
  • Patent number: 8006272
    Abstract: According to a data display method, data having a program unit and instruction data for the program unit multiplexed on bit stream data is received. The program unit is extracted from the received data and is stored in a memory. The instruction data is extracted from the received data, and the program unit or part thereof specified by the instruction data is read from the memory and is executed. Then, the bit stream data and the execution result are displayed. This ensures smooth synchronization of reproduction of a bit stream with execution of an associated program and efficient use of resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Toru Kambayashi, Tatsunori Kanai, Takeshi Saito, Hiroshi Yao, Shigeyasu Natsubori, Osamu Hori, Toshimitsu Kaneko, Toshihiro Morohoshi, Takahiro Harashima, Yoshinori Suzuki, Shigeru Oyanagi, Takeshi Aikawa
  • Patent number: 7971220
    Abstract: A system, method, computer program product, and apparatus for automatically ensuring consistency between program and system information protocol (PSIP) tables and program specific information (PSI) tables in a digital television (DTV) stream, for example, in ATSC DTV stream. Encoders generate MPEG streams including PSI tables. A PSIP generator generates PSIP information from program information. A remultiplexer combines the MPEG information and the PSIP information while resolving any conflicts between the PSI tables and the PSIP tables based on a set of rules. The transport stream output by the remultiplexer includes consistent information in both the PSI tables and the PSIP tables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Frederic Bernard Grenier, Jean Macher
  • Patent number: 7966634
    Abstract: A method for information exchange, comprises the steps of producing information transmissions in a broadcast standard; sending the information live from a studio; digitizing the sent data and then transmitting the digitized data via satellite as IP multicast packets; receiving the data by a TV decoder and feeding them into a data and/or communications network; installing software on a data processing equipment, like PCs or workplace computers, in which the software, after the data processing device has been connected to the data and/or communications network, permits receiving of information transmissions and use of at least part of the functions furnished by the information transmission; dialing via a portal to access an information transmission; and using the functions furnished by the information transmission via communications connections between the data processing equipment and studio for an interactive information exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Edgar Hoppe, Henning Bloch, Melanie Knoop, JĂĽrgen Briam, Carsten Janz, Peter Bobrowski, Clemens Goeke, Kerstin Nowak, Sandra Schurz, Heiko Thoms
  • Patent number: 7962940
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for switching channels in a digital broadcasting system. The apparatus and method of the invention can convert an abridged channel name comprised of alphabetic letters, or a combination of alphabetic letters and Arabic numbers, inputted by a user, into a corresponding channel number and switches into a digital broadcasting channel at a tuner according to the channel number so that a user can easily switch broadcast channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung-Rok Kwon
  • Patent number: 7950038
    Abstract: Multiple systems for delivering satellite signals are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. James, Dipak M. Shah
  • Patent number: 7945932
    Abstract: A bandwidth-limited system for delivering satellite video signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. James, Dipak M. Shah
  • Patent number: 7904921
    Abstract: A broadcast signal associated with an emergency alert system in terrestrial broadcasting, a processing method thereof, and a broadcast receiver for the same are disclosed, by which information on a channel for carrying emergency alert news can be completely prevented from being overlapped with information on other general channels in a terrestrial broadcasting environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Sik Yun, Jin Pil Kim
  • Patent number: 7900230
    Abstract: An intelligent switching network for delivering satellite signals to a plurality of Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD). The network comprises a plurality of inputs, designed to receive a plurality of satellite signals, wherein the satellite signals are directed to the inputs based on an originating satellite for each of the satellite signals, a multiswitch, having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, wherein at least some of the inputs are coupled to the plurality of inputs and receive the satellite signals, and an interface, coupling the plurality of IRDs to the outputs of the multiswitch through the interface on a single cable, wherein the interface controls the flow of signals from the plurality of IRDs to the multiswitch and controls the flow of satellite signals to the plurality of IRDs based on commands from the IRDs to the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. James, Dipak M. Shah
  • Patent number: 7895630
    Abstract: Entertainment content is delivered in an encrypted digital format from a home base via satellite to individual lodging properties (sites) having an in-room entertainment system. Each digital file containing content (such as a movie) is accompanied by a sites file which identifies the name of the content file and the sites to which the content file is being transmitted. Each site includes a host computer, a digital content receiver, a digital content server guest terminals in the guest rooms, and a distribution network for distributing content from the digital content server to the guest terminals. The digital content receiver receives the transmitted digital content and sites files, and provides the files to the digital content server for storage and later use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: LodgeNet Interactive Corporation
    Inventors: Lee R. McKenna, Clay B. Meyer, James L. Fenno
  • Publication number: 20100319035
    Abstract: Systems for delivering satellite signals to multiple dwelling units (MDUs). A system in accordance with the present invention comprises an antenna for receiving the satellite signals, a conversion unit, coupled to the antenna, for stacking the satellite signals onto a single cable, a distribution unit, coupled to the conversion unit, wherein the distribution unit distributes the stacked satellite signal to a plurality of outputs, and at least one customer device, coupled to an output of the plurality of outputs, wherein each unit in the MDU uses the customer device to destack the stacked satellite signals for delivery to a receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Dipak M. Shah, John L. Norin
  • Patent number: 7840178
    Abstract: A media broadcast and distribution system is disclosed which substitutes storage for communications, allowing more efficient use of scarce bandwidth resources. One embodiment allows a terrestrial FM broadcaster to offer a larger number of higher quality audio channels than current satellite radio services such as Sirius and XM Satellite Radio. This embodiment also has features that offer a better user experience than with personal audio devices such as Apple's iPod™. Another embodiment allows satellite radio services to expand their video offerings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventor: Martin Edward Hellman
  • Patent number: 7835692
    Abstract: A communication system and method of communicating signals to a plurality of different types of receivers is provided. The communication system includes at least one transmitter that transmits a high priority signal and a low priority signal that are hierarchically modulated and transmitted as a single frequency network. At least one satellite receives and re-transmits at least one of the high priority and low priority signals. At least one of the plurality of receivers include a processor that performs the steps of storing the hierarchically modulated signal, demodulating the high priority signal from the hierarchically modulated signal, decoding the demodulated high priority signal, re-encoding the high priority signal, and processing the stored hierarchically modulated signal based upon the re-encoded high priority signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn A. Walker, Eric A. Dibiaso
  • Patent number: 7830968
    Abstract: A digital receiver for processing one of a packetized input data stream and a digitized standard definition input signal is provides a delay in the processing of the standard definition audio input signal to maintain synchronism with the processing of a corresponding standard definition video signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Michael Scott Deiss, Mark Robert Anderson
  • Patent number: 7831729
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product. The method includes: receiving multiple variable bit rate version of a program; wherein different variable bit rate versions of the program differ from each other by their bit rate; converting each variable bit version of the program to a constant bit version of the program by adding null packets so that once an edge device removes the null packets a valid single program transport stream is generated; and transmitting multiple constant bit versions of the program to a server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Bigband Networks Inc.
    Inventors: Amit Eshet, Amit Hildesheim
  • Patent number: 7822381
    Abstract: A system is provided for generating a remapped audio stream at digital audio broadcast radios from a first audio stream using content insertion to allow tiered subscription services. A remapped audio stream is rebranded by extracting segments from the first audio stream relating to channel identification segments and disk jockey talking segments and replacing them with stored audio items (e.g., commercials, different channel identification segments and different disk jockey talking segments). Stored audio items for insertion are broadcast to the radios with messages for controlling the scheduling of insertion at the radios, and the storage and deletion of these audio segments at the radios. Stored audio items and messages can be sent using a different, localized broadcast system from that used to transmit the source audio stream to permit market-specific commercial insertion. Group file format for delivery permits intermittently used radios to receive the stored audio items and messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: XM Satellite Radio Inc.
    Inventors: G. David Mantel, Paul D. Marko
  • Patent number: 7801560
    Abstract: Provided are a method and an accessory apparatus for receiving and reproducing DMB data. The DMB accessory apparatus receives DMB data, converts data formats of the received DMB data into multimedia data formats which can be reproduced by a typical mobile terminal, and transmits the DMB data converted into the mobile terminal reproducible data formats to the mobile terminal. Accordingly, even a mobile terminal, which does not have a function of receiving and reproducing DMB data, can reproduce the DMB data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Seong-Han Jeong, Ki-Tae Lee, Gi-Sok Oh
  • Patent number: 7793320
    Abstract: A method for receiving a broadcasting signal and a broadcasting signal receiver are disclosed. Even when a cell is changed while an emergency alert is output, the emergency alert can be continuously output using emergency alert table information included in the broadcasting signal and channel information of the cell. The emergency alert table information may include a cell identifier and the channel information of the cell may include virtual channel information of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Sik Yun, In Hwan Choi, Kook Yeon Kwak, Hyoung Gon Lee, Won Gyu Song, Jin Pil Kim, Jong Moon Kim, Jin Woo Kim, Byoung Gill Kim
  • Patent number: 7774814
    Abstract: A system and method for receiving services is presented. The system comprises a first splitter having an input, a first output and a slaved output receiving a first signal at the input having a single polarization including a first service and a slaved service, wherein the first signal is directed to the first output and the slaved output and selected by a first control signal applied at the input, a first tuner receiving the first output and tuning the first service and a slaved tuner receiving the slaved output and tuning the slaved service. The method comprises generating a first control signal to select a first signal, receiving a first signal including a first service and a slaved service, wherein the first service and the slaved service are at the same polarization, splitting the first signal with a first splitter to a first output and a first slaved output, tuning the first service from the first output with a first tuner and tuning the slaved service from the slaved output with a slaved tuner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert George Arsenault, Laura Johnson O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 7773935
    Abstract: A broadcast information receiving terminal which notifies a user, when a broadcast program is unreceivable, of such unreceivability, and also notifies the user, when a reception of the broadcast program has been recovered, of such recovery of the reception is provided. In the broadcast information receiving terminal which reproduces a TV number or the like, an at-reception-recovery-time processing preprogramming control section (3) determines, when a reception of a desired broadcast program which was determined as unreceivable has been recovered, whether or not to notify the user that the reception of the broadcast program has been recovered. An at-reception-recovery-time processing section (7) notifies the user that the reception of the desired broadcast information has been recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Akio Koga, Norihiro Matsui, Kouji Kobayashi, Yuji Doi