| ECHOSTAR GLOBAL B.V. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120069243 | Separate Display Surfaces for EPG and Program Content - Disclosure is directed to providing an electronic program guide to one or more viewers in manner that does not interfere with others' viewing of other program service content. In one embodiment, altered 3D output signals are used such that one frequency of the output signal contains an EPG data image and a second frequency of the 3D output signal contains visual content from the broadcast service transmission. In another embodiment, an EPG is periodically inserted into video stream during predetermined frames, which are then captured and held by a synchronized headset. In another embodiment, an EPG image is output through the projector onto a projection surface. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20110206136 | MONITORING AND CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF DEVICES IN A DISTRIBUTED NETWORK OF BROADCAST DEVICES - The invention relates to a system and method for monitoring and controlling the operation of devices in a distributed network of broadcast devices, such as Set Top Boxes (STBs). Such devices typically require periodic updates as new versions of operating software is developed. However, it is not possible to guarantee that all devices that have received an updated software version are able to operate correctly. The system initiates a test for a STB and monitors in real time the state of the STB as the software download occurs. The state of the STB is reported to a system controller and the results are output to a test engineer. Other devices in the broadcast network can be controlled by the controller and various troubleshooting or operational tests performed. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110197224 | Methods and Apparatus For Selecting Advertisements For Output By A Television Receiver Based on Social Network Profile Data - Techniques are provided herein for selecting advertisements for output by a television receiver based on social network profile data associated with a user of the television receiver. A user of a television receiver is associated with a social network profile. Social network profile data associated with the social network profile is processed to select advertisements for output by the television receiver in association with other content output by the television receiver. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110194838 | Methods and Apparatus For Presenting Supplemental Content In Association With Recorded Content - A digital video recorder is operable to receive and record an audio/video stream including a segment of a program and at least one first advertisement. The digital video recorder is then operable to identify a temporal location within the segment of the program for insertion of a second advertisement during playback of the recorded audio/video stream. The second advertisement is then inserted within the segment of the program during playback. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110194833 | RECEIVING EXTERNAL RECORDING COMMANDS AT A TELEVISION RECEIVER - A television receiver includes a communication interface operable to receive television programming from a television distribution system and to receive profile information, associated with a plurality of profiles, from a server. The television receiver also includes a storage medium and control logic operable to select at least one of the profiles. The communication interface is operable to transmit information specifying the selected profile to the server and receive at least one recording command associated with the selected profile from the server. The control logic is operable to command the communication interface to receive a program specified by the recording command and coordinate storage of the program onto the storage medium. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110153032 | Control of Electronic Components - A central control box utilizes a receiving element configured to receive an input command, a processor configured to receive a first data signal from a first component, receive state information regarding a second component, and process the received input command based on the state information regarding the second component. The central control box further utilizes a transmitter configured to transmit the first data signal, and a storage device connected to the processor. The storage device is configured to store the state information regarding the second component. Other embodiments include a system and a method for routing a first data signal between a first component and a second component. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110138438 | MEDIA CONTENT SUBSCRIPTION ENFORCEMENT FOR A MEDIA CONTENT RECEIVER - A method of enforcing a media content subscription for a media content receiver is presented. In the method, a media content receiver is determined to be a primary receiver or a secondary receiver. If the media content receiver is determined to be a primary receiver, the primary receiver is operated according to a content subscription associated with the primary receiver, and communication with a secondary receiver is attempted. If the media content receiver is determined to be a secondary receiver, and the primary receiver communicates with the secondary receiver, the secondary receiver is operated according to a content subscription associated with the secondary receiver. If the primary receiver does not communicate with the secondary receiver, the secondary receiver is operated at a reduced level than determined by the content subscription of the secondary receiver. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110107346 | DYNAMICALLY DETERMINING AND UTILIZING AN APPLICATION PROGRAMMING INTERFACE OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A method of dynamically determining and utilizing an application programming interface within an electronic device is presented. In the method, a definition of an object is received from the application programming interface, wherein the definition describes at least a portion of the application programming interface. The object is then generated based on the definition, wherein the object includes data for controlling the electronic device. The object is transferred to the application programming interface. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20100090878 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING REMOTE CONTROL INFORMATION - A message transmitting signal comprised of a sequence of high level and low level pulses arranged to provide a message, such as the IR bit pattern output by a remote control device, is analysed. Distinct durations during which pulses are at a high level are formed into a first table and distinct durations during which the pulses are at low level are formed into a second table. An index is linked to the first and second tables, the index identifying the order, level and distinct duration of the pulses in the signal. The index can be categorised to identify the protocol of the message and can be used to recognise protocols and, in a universal remote control device, to generate message transmitting signals. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100085209 | UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE - A universal remote control device ( | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100071023 | Low Noise Block Control Circuit - One embodiment may take the form of a control circuit that provides a combined power signal and control signal to an LNB of a satellite system. The control circuit output may be transmitted to an LNB by a set-top box (STB) such that the STB may control the LNB. The control circuit may accept an enable signal from the STB to alter the circuit from a transmitting circuit to a receiving circuit. The control circuit may also integrate the functionality of a low pass filter into the communication signal circuit, thereby removing the need for a low pass filter at a power supply output. The control circuit may also provide a low overall power consumption of the circuit by isolating the communication signal from the power supply signal before the signals are combined. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100071007 | Method and Apparatus for Control of a Set-Top Box/Digital Video Recorder Using a Mobile Device - One embodiment may take the form of a method and apparatus for controlling a set-top box (STB) or digital video recorder (DVR) through a mobile device. The STB may be configured to provide a reminder message to the mobile device of a user to notify the user that a particular program is available for viewing. In another embodiment, the user may reply to the reminder message through their mobile device to instruct the STB to record the desired program in the memory of the DVR. Thus, the user may instruct the DVR to record a program in response to a program reminder without the requirement of being in the same location as the STB. | 03-18-2010 |
