ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20090271581 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RELIABLY MANAGING FILES IN A COMPUTER SYSTEM - Systems and methods allow for reliably and efficiently managing files stored on a data storage medium associated with a computer system such as a set-top box. The computer system manages a collection of metadata describing each of the files stored on the data storage medium in a memory during operation of the computer system. A current snapshot of the collection of metadata is periodically or otherwise stored to the data storage medium. Following a reboot of the computer system, the collection of metadata can be recovered to the memory from the snapshot of the collection of metadata stored on the data storage medium. | 10-29-2009 |
20090172801 | PERFORMANCE ENHANCING PROXY - One embodiment of the present invention may take the form of a method and a system for performance enhancing proxy (PEP). A PEP system may include a configuration of software components and hardware devices to increase the performance of a two-way satellite broadband service. The PEP system may include one or more embodiments to reduce the time necessary for users to transmit and receive data provided through a communication network. | 07-02-2009 |
20090172755 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MOBILE MEDIA POINT-OF-SALE - One embodiment may take the form of a method and a system for mobile media point-of-sale (POS). A mobile media-receiving device may receive, via a first network (e.g. a broadcasting network), a media file for playback to a user. The media may include media and media identifying data. Upon receipt of the media file, the media-receiving device may transmit a user-initiated request to purchase a copy of the media from a POS source. The media-receiving device may transmit the request and the media identifying data, using a portable storage device or a wireless network, to a computer-networking device. The computer-networking device may receive the request, the media identifying data, and the user's purchase information and transmit this information, via a second network that is separate and independent from the first network, to a POS source to complete the purchasing transaction of the media file. | 07-02-2009 |
20090172749 | REMODULATING SATELLITE TV CHANNELS FOR HOME DISTRIBUTION - A remodulating interface is designed to receive control data such as frequency information from a power line data interface, and to use this information to control a remodulator that frequency shifts an input TV video signal from a first frequency (or television channel) to a second frequency (or television channel) for display on a television. | 07-02-2009 |
20090169178 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STORING AND PRESENTING TO A USER DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONTENT REGARDING A SUBJECT - Various embodiments of apparatus, systems and/or methods are described for presenting different types of content regarding a subject to a user. The different types of content may include user generated content, media content, advertisements, polls and poll results. The content may also include candidate content if the subject is an election. The different types of content may be transmitted to a digital video recorder (DVR) and saved for subsequent presentation to a user. A user may participate in a poll, and the user's responses to the poll may be utilized to determine which portions of the content are presented to the user. | 07-02-2009 |
20090167855 | ELECTRONIC SYSTEM INFORMING A FIRST ELECTRONIC DEVICE OF USER REMOTE CONTROL ACTIVITY INVOLVING A SECOND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An electronic system is presented which includes a remote control device and a first electronic device. In one embodiment, the remote control device is configured to accept a user input signifying a command for a second electronic device, as well as generate the command for the second electronic device, and an indication of the command. In another embodiment, the remote control device is configured to accept a user input that causes a mode change of the remote control device, wherein the mode identifies one of a plurality of electronic devices that receive commands from the remote control device. The remote control device is also configured to transmit the command to the second electronic device, if applicable, and transmit the indication of the command or mode change to the first electronic device. The first electronic device is configured to receive and process the indication to alter operation of the first electronic device. | 07-02-2009 |
20090158313 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FILTERING BROADCAST COMMUNICATION BASED ON VIEWING CONTEXT - A video control system for displaying video products within a current viewing context is designed to receive, via a broadcast communication, a video product and product information for the video product. The product information includes an intended viewing context for the video product. The video control system processes the product information and filters the video product based on a comparison of the intended viewing context and the current viewing context. | 06-18-2009 |
20090150940 | DOWNLOADING OF AN INTERACTIVE APPLICATION TO A BROADCAST PROGRAMMING RECEIVER - A broadcast programming receiver includes first and second tuners, a user interface, a memory, output circuitry, and control logic. The first tuner is configured to receive the programming, while the second tuner is configured to receive an interactive application. The user interface is configured to receive a request for the application, and the memory is configured to store the application. The output circuitry is configured to transfer the programming to an output device. The control logic is configured to cause the first tuner to receive the programming, to transfer the programming from the first tuner via the output circuitry to the output device, to receive the request from the user interface, and to cause the second tuner to receive the application and store the application in the memory in response to the request while causing the first tuner to continue to transfer the programming to the output device. | 06-11-2009 |
20090149126 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO COMMUNICATE AUTHORIZED PROGRAMMING BETWEEN A RECEIVING DEVICE AND A MOBILE DEVICE - A mobile device embodiment communicates program distribution account information to a program distributor. The mobile device embodiment receives from the program distributor, authorization to use programming that is conditioned on the communicated program distribution account information. The mobile device embodiment communicates the authorization to a receiving device. | 06-11-2009 |
20090142035 | AUTOMATIC RECORDING - A program recording device including an input port, a processor memory, a processor, a selector, and a storage element is configured to receive command data and program data through the input port. The selector receives command data and program data from the input port and outputs the command data to the processor memory and the program data to the storage element. The processor uses this command data to control the selector and storage element to automatically record a program influenced by user preferences onto the storage element without requiring any user input. | 06-04-2009 |
20090136028 | SECURE CONTENT DISTRIBUTION APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - Various embodiments facilitate program content access management. One embodiment is a system with a secure content provider communicatively coupled to a first system and a second system, operable to stream encrypted content over the first system, and operable to communicate access control information over the second system; and a receiving device coupled to the first system and the second system, operable to receive the encrypted program content from the first system, operable to receive the access control information over the second system such that the encrypted program content is decrypted based on the access control information to generate program content, and operable to communicate the program content to a presentation device. | 05-28-2009 |
20090133093 | Methods and Apparatus for Generating Metadata Utilized to Filter Content from a Video Stream Using Text Data - Various embodiments of apparatus, systems and/or methods are described for generating metadata utilized by a DVR to filter content from a video stream. A video stream is reviewed to identify portions the video stream to skip during presentation of the video stream. Text data associated with the video stream is parsed to identify a string in the text data that identifies boundaries of the portions of the video stream that are to be skipped during presentation by the DVR. The string is provided to the DVR, and the DVR utilizes the string to skip the portion of the video stream during presentation of the video stream by the DVR. | 05-21-2009 |
20090133092 | Methods and Apparatus for Filtering Content in a Video Stream Using Text Data - Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for skipping and/or filtering content from a video stream using text data associated with the video stream. The text data is parsed using metadata to identify portions of the video stream to skip during presentation, and/or to identify portions of the video stream to present to a user. The portions of the video stream that are to be skipped are filtered from the video stream, and the filtered video stream is presented to a user. | 05-21-2009 |
20090129747 | Methods and Apparatus for Displaying Information Regarding Interstitials of a Video Stream - Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for presenting information regarding interstitials of a video stream. A recording of a television show may include segments of the show interspersed with interstitials (e.g., commercials). The location of the interstitials within the recording is identified, and the locations of the interstitials are presented in progress bar during presentation of the video stream. The location of the interstitials may also be utilized to determine durations of the interstitials, and provide a user with information regarding the lengths of the interstitials of a recording, and/or the length of the other content of a recording (e.g., segments of a television show). | 05-21-2009 |
20090119693 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING POLLING AND USER GENERATED CONTENT TO DISPARATE COMMUNICATION - Various embodiments of apparatus, systems and/or methods are described for providing user generated content relating to a subject, and collecting polling data relating to the subject, on multiple disparate communication devices. User generated content is received from one or more disparate communication devices and provided for presentation on at least one of the communication devices. Polling data is also received from at least one of the end-users of the communication devices viewing the user generated content, and tabulated to generate poll results displayable on the communication devices. | 05-07-2009 |
20090113496 | PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS FOR PRE-DOWNLOADING OF VIDEO EVENT DATA - A process of pre-downloading video event data to a client may include: selecting such data prior to its availability for viewing or receiving a selection from a client device to select such data prior to its availability; downloading the pre-selected data to the client device at least by a specified time; and rendering the downloaded data viewable at the specified time. A system for pre-downloading video event data may include: a processor configured to select such data prior to its availability or a client device configured to select such data prior to its availability; and a processor configured to download the pre-selected data to the client device at least by a specified time and configured to render the downloaded data viewable at the specified time. Such exemplary process and system may provide pre-downloading of video event data such that the data is on-demand as of the specified time. | 04-30-2009 |
20090113155 | HARDWARE ANTI-PIRACY VIA NONVOLATILE MEMORY DEVICES - One embodiment of the present disclosure may take the form of protected or safeguard memory, such as a nonvolatile memory device. In operation, the nonvolatile memory device may not perform a command operation, such as a read operation, on locked password-protected sectors of a primary memory array. Once a password is provided to the nonvolatile memory device (for example, from or via an associated electronic device), the nonvolatile memory device may unlock the password-protected sectors. | 04-30-2009 |
20090112930 | PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS FOR ENHANCING AN ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE - A process of displaying program information on a viewing screen may include: providing an electronic programming guide, the electronic program guide divided into timeslots containing program information; displaying program information from the displayed timeslots on a viewing screen; providing a link to additional information, the link associated with the program information of a particular timeslot; and displaying the additional information upon receiving a user input while displaying the program information of a particular timeslot. A related system may include: a client device configured to receive and display audio-visual programs; an electronic programming guide including a link to additional information associated with the program information of a particular timeslot; and a processor configured to display program information from the displayed timeslots on a viewing screen and to display the additional information on the viewing screen upon receiving a user input while the program information of the particular timeslot is displayed. | 04-30-2009 |
20090112911 | AUTOMATED INDEXING OF ELECTRONIC FILES AND FILE FOLDERS - A method for indexing an electronic file is presented. In the method, a first value based upon a time value is generated. An index for the electronic file is generated, with the index including the first value and a second value. The electronic file is associated with the index. In another embodiment, an electronic system includes a memory configured to store an electronic file, and control logic located within an electronic device of the electronic system and coupled with the memory. The control logic is configured to generate a first value comprising a timestamp, and to produce an index associated with the electronic file, wherein the index comprises the first value and a second value. | 04-30-2009 |
20090111392 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO COMMUNICATE RECEIVED COMMANDS FROM A RECEIVING DEVICE TO A MOBILE DEVICE - A receiving device embodiment receives a user command from an external source. The user command is directed to a remote target destination. A first interactive programming command communicator embodiment generates a mobile device command from the received user command, and communicates the mobile device command to a mobile device. A second interactive programming command communicator embodiment receives the mobile device command from the receiving device. A target destination is identified from information in the mobile device command, and information from the mobile device command is communicated to the target destination. | 04-30-2009 |
20090100463 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING AND/OR PRESENTING A CONDENSED LIST OF CHANNELS - A method of generating a condensed list of channels for display on a client device of a broadcasting system may include: monitoring channels viewed via a client device configured to receive a plurality of channels; selecting a subset of the plurality of channels based at least in part on a frequency of viewing and/or an amount of time of viewing of the channels; and associating the subset together to generate a condensed list of channels. A related system may include: a client device configured to receive a plurality of channels from a source of programming; and a processor configured to monitor channels viewed via the client device, to select a subset of the plurality of channels based at least in part on a frequency of viewing and/or an amount of time of viewing of the channels, and to associate the subset together to generate a condensed list of channels. | 04-16-2009 |
20090089826 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING PARENTAL CONTROL INFORMATION IN MULTIPLE ENTERTAINMENT DEVICES - Parental control settings may be managed between multiple entertainment devices, such as digital televisions (DTVs). A system includes a first entertainment device and a second entertainment device. The first entertainment device is configured to selectively block content based on a first set of parental control settings, and the second entertainment device configured to selectively block content based on a second set of parental control settings. The first entertainment device is configured to receive a parental control modification command from the second entertainment device; invoke a security mechanism in response to the parental control modification command such that the parental control modification command is authenticated or unauthenticated; and modify the first set of parental control settings consistent with the parental control modification command if the parental control modification command is authenticated. | 04-02-2009 |
20090086110 | REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD EMPLOYING RANDOM ADDRESSING - A remote control device is presented which includes a user interface, control logic, a memory and a transmitter. The user interface is configured to accept an input from a user. The control logic is configured to generate a random number as an address for the remote control device, and to generate a command for an electronic device based on the input from the user. The command comprises the address. The memory is configured to store the address for the remote control device. The transmitter is configured to transmit the command to the electronic device. | 04-02-2009 |
20090085576 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR GROUND CURRENT DETECTION - Various systems, methods and apparatus are described for detecting an excessive or faulty ground current in a conductive wire or electronic device. A ground current detector is coupled to a known earth ground to determine whether other ground lines are carrying excessive, faulty and/or leaking currents. If these types of unsafe conditions are detected, then a user can take appropriate action to locate and correct these problems. | 04-02-2009 |
20090083782 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING PARENTAL CONTROL SETTINGS IN MULTIPLE ENTERTAINMENT DEVICES - Parental control settings may be managed between multiple entertainment devices, such as digital televisions (DTVs). A system includes a first entertainment device and a second entertainment device. The first entertainment device is configured to selectively block content based on a first set of parental control settings, and the second entertainment device configured to selectively block content based on a second set of parental control settings. The first entertainment device is configured to transmit the first set of parental control settings to the second entertainment device, and the second entertainment device is configured to receive the first set of parental control settings and to modify the second set of parental control settings such that they are substantially equivalent to the first set of parental control settings. | 03-26-2009 |
20090083777 | ACCOUNTING FOR VIEWING AND RECORDING OF PROGRAMS - A method/system for accounting for viewing/recording of programs via a client device may include: generating an account associated with a client device, the account including a balance; monitoring viewing/recording of programs via the client device; and deducting from the balance based on the viewing/recording of programs via the client device. A method/system for providing viewing/recording of programs via a client device may include: receiving a request to view/record a program via a client device; evaluating the request in view of an account associated with the client device; and allowing the program to be viewed/recorded via the client device based on the evaluation. A method of generating such an account may include: receiving a user request for an account associated with a client device; and setting an initial balance of the account based on the user request, the initial balance including an amount of viewing/recording of programs via the client device. | 03-26-2009 |
20090080857 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SELECTIVELY RECORDING AT LEAST PART OF A PROGRAM BASED ON AN OCCURRENCE OF A VIDEO OR AUDIO CHARACTERISTIC IN THE PROGRAM - Systems and methods may provide for selectively recording of at least part of a program based on an occurrence of at least one video or audio characteristic in the program. The systems and methods may involve receiving or transmitting a program including a video stream and an audio stream, and monitoring at least one of the video stream and the audio stream for at least one video or audio characteristic. Based on the occurrence of the video or audio characteristic, at least part of the program may be recorded or instructions for recording at least part of the program may be transmitted. In some embodiments, only a segment of the program may be recorded or instructed to be recorded. In some embodiments, segments from a plurality of programs may be recorded and associated together. In such embodiments, the segments may be presented as a single recording. | 03-26-2009 |
20090067602 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRESENTING INFORMATION PERTAINING TO A USER QUERY - An embodiment for presenting information pertaining to a user query on a presentation device receives a user query via a user interface, the user query corresponding to a request for information of interest; accesses information associated with a receiving device; identifies at least one party based upon the receiving device information and based upon the information of interest; accesses party information corresponding to the at least one identified party; and presents the party information on a presentation device communicatively coupled to the receiving device. | 03-12-2009 |
20090065935 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BALL GRID ARRAY (BGA) ESCAPE ROUTING - A ball grid array (BGA) package and its corresponding printed circuit board incorporate an improved escape routing scheme. The substrate includes a plurality of conductive pads having a periphery defined by a predetermined edge pattern forming routing channels therebetween. A plurality of signal lines connected to a subset of the conductive pads extends beyond the periphery through the routing channels. The predetermined pattern may, for example, be a right triangle repeating with a periodicity along the periphery of the array, wherein the right triangle has a first side defined by a number of rows in the array, and a second side, perpendicular to the first, defined by a number of layers in the array. | 03-12-2009 |
20090044229 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO SYNCHRONIZE COMMUNICATION OF CONTENT TO A PRESENTATION DEVICE AND A MOBILE DEVICE - A programming communication synchronizer embodiment communicates a portion of a program to a receiving device during a first time period, communicates a corresponding portion of the program to a mobile device during a second time period, and coordinates the first time period with the second time period so that the portion of the program is deliverable to a presentation device coupleable to the receiving device at approximately the same time the corresponding portion of the program is deliverable to the mobile device. | 02-12-2009 |
20090022060 | NETWORK PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - Various embodiments of network performance assessment apparatus, systems and processes collect performance information pertaining to a current capacity utilization of a network, identify an occurrence of a capacity constraint on a portion of the network that is communicating the program to at least one presentation device, and modify at least one characteristic of the program and/or the communication thereof over the network so that a total capacity utilization of the network is less than a peak capacity of the network. | 01-22-2009 |
20080216138 | TELEVISION CONVERTER DEVICE INCLUDING AN INTERNET PROTOCOL INTERFACE - A television converter device is provided which includes a channel selector and an Internet Protocol (IP) interface. The channel selector is configured to receive multiple channels of television programming from at least one of a satellite, cable, and over-the-air broadcasting source, select one of the channels from the multiple channels, and deliver the selected channel to at least one television (TV). The IP interface is configured to receive television programming over an IP connection, and to deliver the television programming received over the IP connection to the at least one TV. | 09-04-2008 |