Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080316004 | Powerline communication apparatus and methods - A system, associated components, and methods for improving powerline communications between electrical devices in, for example, a home or office setting. In one embodiment, a control module provides electrical command signals to a plurality of devices coupled to a powerline. A transformer operatively coupled to the control module and is configured to capacitively couple through its center tap to a non-signal line to provide a communication path to the plurality of devices. The transformer configuration provides a low noise communication path for the electrical command signals. Methods for installing and operating the aforementioned system and components are also described. | 12-25-2008 |
20090206059 | Intelligent circuit breaker apparatus and methods - A system and associated components for providing an intelligent circuit breaker being adapted to communicate with, monitor and control various devices within a commercial or residential premises. In one embodiment, the system is adapted for low cost, ease of installation and operation, and ease of manufacture. The intelligent circuit breaker may also be adapted to send data relating to sensed parameter or conditions to, and receive commands from, a user interface. Methods for operating such breakers and converting existing circuit breakers to intelligent circuit breakers consistent with the aforementioned system and components are also described. | 08-20-2009 |
20100026438 | FORM-LESS ELECTRONIC DEVICE ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS OF OPERATION - Improved form-less electronic apparatus and methods for manufacturing the same. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a shape-core inductive device having a bonded-wire coil which is formed and maintained within the device without resort to a bobbin or other form(er). The absence of the bobbin simplifies the manufacture of the device, reduces its cost, and allows it to be made more compact (or alternatively additional functionality to be disposed therein). One variant utilizes a termination header for mating to a PCB or other assembly, while another totally avoids the use of the header by directly mating to the PCB. Multi-core variants and methods of manufacturing are also disclosed. | 02-04-2010 |
20110221557 | FORM-LESS ELECTRONIC DEVICE ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS OF OPERATION - Improved form-less electronic apparatus and methods for manufacturing the same. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a shape-core inductive device having a bonded-wire coil which is formed and maintained within the device without resort to a bobbin or other form(er). The absence of the bobbin simplifies the manufacture of the device, reduces its cost, and allows it to be made more compact (or alternatively additional functionality to be disposed therein). One variant utilizes a termination header for mating to a PCB or other assembly, while another totally avoids the use of the header by directly mating to the PCB. Multi-core variants and methods of manufacturing are also disclosed. | 09-15-2011 |
20120182111 | FORM-LESS ELECTRONIC DEVICE ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS OF OPERATION - Improved form-less electronic apparatus and methods for manufacturing the same. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a shape-core inductive device having a bonded-wire coil which is formed and maintained within the device without resort to a bobbin or other form(er). The absence of the bobbin simplifies the manufacture of the device, reduces its cost, and allows it to be made more compact (or alternatively additional functionality to be disposed therein). One variant utilizes a termination header for mating to a PCB or other assembly, while another totally avoids the use of the header by directly mating to the PCB. Multi-core variants and methods of manufacturing are also disclosed. | 07-19-2012 |
20130134998 | POWER LINE VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT USING A DISTRIBUTED RESISTANCE CONDUCTOR - A system for measuring electrical properties of a power line comprising a first wire and a second wire. The system comprises a sensor unit configured for connection to the first wire; and an elongated resistive element comprising a first end configured for connection to the sensor unit and a second end configured for connection to the second wire, the elongated resistive element having a distributed resistance. The first wire may be a hot wire and the second wire may be a hot wire or a neutral wire. | 05-30-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110241522 | SPARK IGNITION DEVICE FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, METAL SHELL THEREFOR AND METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION THEREOF - A spark ignition device, metal shell, and methods of construction are provided. The spark ignition device has a ceramic insulator extending along a longitudinal axis and a metal shell. The metal shell extends along the longitudinal axis to a distal end. A center electrode is received in the ceramic insulator and extends along the longitudinal axis. A ground electrode has an attachment end fixed by a weld joint to the distal end of the shell and a free end extending from the distal end to provide a spark gap. The weld joint includes a resistance weld joint and a laser weld joint, which in combination inhibit material expulsion; provide a reliable, strong attachment of the ground electrode to the shell; provide an improved heat transfer path between the ground electrode and the shell, and facilitate repeatable and accurate positioning of the ground electrode to the shell. | 10-06-2011 |
20110279009 | SPARK IGNITION DEVICE AND GROUND ELECTRODE THEREFOR AND METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION THEREOF - A spark ignition device, ground electrode therefor, and methods of construction thereof are provided. The spark ignition device includes a generally annular ceramic insulator with a metal shell surrounding at least a portion of the ceramic insulator. A center electrode is received at least in part in the ceramic insulator and a ground electrode extends from the shell to a free end portion. A firing tip is attached adjacent the free end portion of the ground electrode to provide a spark gap between the center electrode and the firing tip. The free end portion is at least partially bounded by at least one “as laser cut” peripheral side extending adjacent the firing tip. | 11-17-2011 |
20130002122 | SPARK PLUG ELECTRODE CONFIGURATION - A spark plug includes an electrode tip assembly located at an axially-facing free end surface of an electrode body. The electrode tip assembly includes an electrode tip body and a firing tip and has a longitudinal axis that is generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the electrode body. The electrode tip body may be a Ni-alloy piece and is attached to the electrode body, and the firing tip may be an Ir-alloy piece with a sparking surface that faces a spark gap. The electrode body may include a groove formed in the axially-facing free end surface that is useful to help position the electrode tip assembly for attachment. The spark gap can be formed between opposing electrode tip assemblies, and the size of the spark gap can be adjusted during assembly without the need for bending the electrode body. | 01-03-2013 |
20130009539 | SPARK IGNITION DEVICE AND GROUND ELECTRODE THEREFOR AND METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION THEREOF - A spark ignition device, ground electrode therefor, and methods of construction thereof are provided. The spark ignition device includes a generally annular ceramic insulator with a metal shell surrounding at least a portion of the ceramic insulator. A center electrode is received at least in part in the ceramic insulator and a ground electrode extends from the shell to a free end portion. A firing tip is attached adjacent the free end portion of the ground electrode to provide a spark gap between the center electrode and the firing tip. The free end portion is at least partially bounded by at least one “as laser cut” peripheral side extending adjacent the firing tip. | 01-10-2013 |
20130012094 | SPARK IGNITION DEVICE AND GROUND ELECTRODE THEREFOR AND METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION THEREOF - A spark ignition device, ground electrode therefor, and methods of construction thereof are provided. The spark ignition device includes a generally annular ceramic insulator with a metal shell surrounding at least a portion of the ceramic insulator. A center electrode is received at least in part in the ceramic insulator and a ground electrode extends from the shell to a free end portion. A firing tip is attached adjacent the free end portion of the ground electrode to provide a spark gap between the center electrode and the firing tip. The free end portion is at least partially bounded by at least one “as laser cut” peripheral side extending adjacent the firing tip. | 01-10-2013 |
20130320835 | SPARK PLUG HAVING FIRING PAD - A spark plug includes a metallic shell, an insulator, a center electrode, a ground electrode, and a thin firing pad. The thin firing pad is made from a noble metal and can be attached to the center electrode, the ground electrode, or to both. In some examples, the thin firing pad possesses certain geometric properties and relationships that can improve ignitability and durability of the thin firing pad. | 12-05-2013 |
20140042892 | SPARK PLUG HAVING FIRING PAD - A spark plug has a firing pad attached to a center electrode or to a ground electrode. The firing pad is attached via laser welding and has a sparking surface with an overall fused area and an unfused area. In one or more embodiments, the overall fused area is located in part or more inboard of a peripheral edge of the firing pad. | 02-13-2014 |
20140083982 | WELDING SYSTEM FOR ATTACHING FIRING TIPS TO SPARK PLUG ELECTRODES - A welding system for welding small precious metal firing tips to spark plug electrodes, such as ground and/or center electrodes. According to one embodiment, the welding system includes a firing tip storage assembly and a firing tip welding assembly, where the firing tip storage assembly uses pressurized gas introduced at the bottom of a part container to float or lift the firing tips so that the firing tip welding assembly can more easily acquire them with a vacuum-driven nozzle that also doubles as a welding electrode. The firing tip welding assembly is mounted to a robotic apparatus that can index or move the firing tip welding assembly between the firing tip storage assembly, a welding station and/or any other suitable positions. | 03-27-2014 |
20140111078 | SPARK PLUG HAVING FIRING PAD - A spark plug has a firing pad attached to a center electrode or a ground electrode by way of a fused portion. In one or more embodiments, the firing pad is composed of a precious metal material. The fused portion can be formed in such a way that a material composition thereof at a sparking surface of the firing pad has a greater percentage of the precious metal material than a material of the underlying electrode to which the firing pad is attached. | 04-24-2014 |
20140210334 | SPARK PLUG HAVING FIRING PAD - A spark plug has a shell, an insulator, a center electrode, a ground electrode, and a firing pad. The firing pad is made of a precious metal material and is attached to the ground electrode. The firing pad has a side surface at a peripheral edge that can be flush or nearly flush with a free end surface of the ground electrode. This construction can help improve ignitability and flame kernel growth of the spark plug during a sparking event, and can provide better thermal management at the attached ground electrode and firing pad. | 07-31-2014 |
20140239796 | METHOD OF CAPACITIVE DISCHARGE WELDING FIRING TIP TO SPARK PLUG ELECTRODE - A capacitive discharge welding method is used to join firing tips, such as those made from various precious metals, to spark plug electrodes. In one embodiment, charged capacitors or other energy storage devices coupled to welding electrodes quickly release stored energy so that a peak weld power and maximum interface temperature is quickly established, followed by a rapid decline in weld power and interface temperature. The resulting capacitive discharge weld joint may include solidified molten material from both the firing tip and the electrode and possess a number of other desirable qualities. | 08-28-2014 |
20140265813 | SPARK PLUG HAVING MULTI-LAYER SPARKING COMPONENT ATTACHED TO GROUND ELECTRODE - A spark plug having a metal shell, an insulator, a center electrode, a ground electrode, and a multi-layer sparking component. The multi-layer sparking component is attached at a firing end of the ground electrode and includes a thin precious metal layer formed overtop a base metal layer and, according to some embodiments, overhangs the end of the ground electrode. The precious metal and base metal layers may be pre-manufactured together as a bi-metal ribbon, sheet or laminate before the multi-layer sparking component is attached to the ground electrode. | 09-18-2014 |
20140265814 | SPARK PLUG WITH LASER KEYHOLE WELD ATTACHING GROUND ELECTRODE TO SHELL - A spark plug has a metal shell, an insulator, a center electrode, and a ground electrode. One or more firing tips can be attached to the center electrode, to the ground electrode, or to both electrodes. The metal shell and ground electrode are attached together by way of one or more laser keyhole welds at an interface of the shell and electrode. Before the laser keyhole welds, resistance welding can be executed for a temporary attachment. | 09-18-2014 |
20140265815 | SPARK PLUG AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A method of manufacturing a spark plug that includes a metallic shell, an insulator, a center electrode, a ground electrode, and a firing pad. The method may include the steps of: applying a first laser beam to attach the firing pad to the ground electrode, and then using a second laser beam from the same laser beam welder to attach the ground electrode to the metallic shell. The laser beam welder may include a high energy density fiber laser for forming key-hole laser welds, as well as a programmable focusing optic (PFO) assembly for redirecting laser beams from one welding site to the other. | 09-18-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100046791 | IMAGE-BASED INVENTORY CONTROL SYSTEM USING ADVANCED IMAGE RECOGNITION - Systems for monitoring an inventory condition of objects based on captured images are described. An exemplary system includes at least one storage drawer, each storage drawer including a plurality of storage locations for storing objects; and a data storage device storing reference data for each storage drawer. The reference data includes, for each region of interest corresponding to each respective storage drawer, at least one of a reference image signature representing attributes of the region of interest when a stored object is present, and a reference image signature representing attributes of the region of interest when the stored object is not present. A data processor of the system is configured to derive an image signature representing attributes of a region of interest corresponding to a drawer using a captured image of the drawer; and determine an inventory condition of the drawer according to the stored reference data corresponding to the region of interest and the derived image signature representing attributes of the captured image of the region of interest. | 02-25-2010 |
20130328661 | MONITORING REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF TOOLS WITHIN AN INVENTORY CONTROL SYSTEM - An inventory control system is described that includes a tool storage device including a drawer or a tray providing a pallet, wherein the pallet includes storage locations for objects; a sensing device configured to form an image of the storage locations; and a data processor configured to determine presence or absence of the pallet and presence or absence of objects within the storage locations of the pallet using the information from the image. | 12-12-2013 |
20130332323 | ENABLING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AN INVENTORY CONTROL SYSTEM AND A REMOTE SYSTEM OVER A NETWORK - The instant application describes an inventory control system including an object storage device including a drawer or a tray for housing objects; a sensing device configured to acquire an image including information about the objects stored in the object storage device; an interface circuitry in communication with the sensing device and configured to generate object data based on the image acquired by the sensing device; and a processor configured to provide an integrated network access and transmit the object data across a network using a Web Service as defined by World Wide Web Consortium (W | 12-12-2013 |
20130346261 | AUDITING AND FORENSICS FOR AUTOMATED TOOL CONTROL SYSTEMS - An inventory control system is provided for monitoring the removal and replacement of objects stored in the system. The system includes a storage container including a plurality of storage locations for storing objects; a sensing device configured to detect the presence or absence of objects in the storage locations; a display device; and a data processor. The data processor is configured to receive work order data identifying a particular work order; receive information associated with the work order based on the work order data; and display the information associated with the work order on the display device. | 12-26-2013 |
20140025543 | TOOL TRAINING FOR AUTOMATED TOOL CONTROL SYSTEMS - An inventory control system and method determines an inventory condition of objects stored in the system. Embodiments include a storage container including a plurality of storage locations for storing objects; an image sensing device to capture image data of the container, including image data of the plurality of storage locations and a target area that includes an individual object storage location having less than the plurality of storage locations; a data storage device for storing the image data of the container; and a data processor. The processor receives initial image data representing an initial image of the plurality of storage locations, and image data representing an image of the target area captured subsequent to the initial image; modifies the initial image data based on the image data of the target area to generate adjusted image data; and stores the adjusted image data in the data storage device. | 01-23-2014 |
20160078704 | MONITORING REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF TOOLS WITHIN AN INVENTORY CONTROL SYSTEM - An inventory control system is described that includes a tool storage device including a drawer or a tray providing a pallet, wherein the pallet includes storage locations for objects; a sensing device configured to form an image of the storage locations; and a data processor configured to determine presence or absence of the pallet and presence or absence of objects within the storage locations of the pallet using the information from the image. | 03-17-2016 |
20160098831 | IMAGE-BASED INVENTORY CONTROL SYSTEM USING ADVANCED IMAGE RECOGNITION - Systems for monitoring an inventory condition of objects based on captured images are described. An exemplary system includes at least one storage drawer, each storage drawer including a plurality of storage locations for storing objects; and a data storage device storing reference data for each storage drawer. The reference data includes, for each region of interest corresponding to each respective storage drawer, at least one of a reference image signature representing attributes of the region of interest when a stored object is present, and a reference image signature representing attributes of the region of interest when the stored object is not present. A data processor of the system is configured to derive an image signature representing attributes of a region of interest corresponding to a drawer using a captured image of the drawer; and determine an inventory condition of the drawer according to the stored reference data corresponding to the region of interest and the derived image signature representing attributes of the captured image of the region of interest. | 04-07-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100030017 | BARIATRIC DEVICE AND METHOD - A bariatric device and method of causing weight loss in a recipient includes providing a bariatric device having an esophageal member, a cardiac member and a connector connected with the esophageal member and the cardiac member. The esophageal member has an esophageal surface that is configured to generally conform to the shape and size of a portion of the esophagus. The cardiac member has a cardiac surface that is configured to generally conform to the shape and size of a portion of the cardiac portion of the stomach. The esophageal surface is positioned at the esophagus. The cardiac surface is positioned at the cardiac portion of the stomach. The bariatric device stimulates receptors in order to influence a neurohormonal mechanism in the recipient. | 02-04-2010 |
20100063518 | MEDICAL DEVICE FIXATION TOOL AND METHOD OF FIXATION OF A MEDICAL DEVICE - A device fixation tool and method of fixation of a medical device within a hollow organ or cavity through a natural orifice includes providing a needle driver and a shaft. The needle driver is adapted for use with at least one needle. At least a portion of the needle driver is positioned with the shaft at a hollow organ or cavity through the natural orifice. Sufficient force is transmitted with the needle driver to the at least one needle to penetrate mammalian tissue and a portion of the medical device. | 03-11-2010 |
20100198237 | MUCOSAL CAPTURE FIXATION OF MEDICAL DEVICE - An implantable medical device and method of implanting a medical device in a hollow organ or cavity lined with the mucosa includes providing a medical device having a wall configured to the size and shape of a portion of a cavity or hollow organ lined with the mucosa. At least one opening is provided in the wall that is large enough to receive a section of the mucosa extending in the opening. The wall is positioned against the portion of the cavity or hollow organ thereby receiving the section of the mucosa within the opening. A retainer may be provided to retain the section of the mucosa within the opening while maintaining perfusion of the section of the mucosa. | 08-05-2010 |
20110264234 | GASTRO-ESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE REDUCTION DEVICE AND METHOD - A gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) reduction device and method includes providing a wall that is generally configured to the anatomy at the gastroesophageal region of a normal person without reflux The device is positioned at the gastroesophageal region of the patient The anatomy of the patient at the gastro-esophageal region is formed to the anatomy of the person without reflux Additional applications include reduction of a hiatal hernia and reduction of stress through increasing the generation of at least one neuro-humoral transmitter. | 10-27-2011 |
20120191213 | STRESS REDUCTION DEVICE AND METHOD - A stress reduction device and method includes positioning a device at the gastro-esophageal region of the patient. The device has a wall that is generally configured to the anatomy at the gastro-esophageal region of the patient. A strain is applied with the wall at the gastro-esophageal region, thereby increasing generation of at least one neuro-humoral transmitter. | 07-26-2012 |
20120191215 | HIATAL HERNIA REDUCTION DEVICE AND METHOD - A hiatal hernia reduction device and method includes positioning a device having a wall that is generally configured to the normal anatomy at the gastro-esophageal region of a person without a hiatal hernia. The anatomy of the patient at the gastro-esophageal region is formed substantially to the anatomy of the normal person without a hiatal hernia. | 07-26-2012 |
20130123811 | MEDICAL DEVICE FIXATION TOOL AND METHOD OF FIXATION OF A MEDICAL DEVICE - A device fixation tool and method of fixation of a medical device within a hollow organ or cavity through a natural orifice includes providing a needle driver and a shaft. The needle driver is adapted for use with at least one needle. At least a portion of the needle driver is positioned with the shaft at a hollow organ or cavity through the natural orifice. Sufficient force is transmitted with the needle driver to the at least one needle to penetrate mammalian tissue and a portion of the medical device. | 05-16-2013 |
20130296913 | INTRALUMINAL DEVICE AND METHOD - An intraluminal device and method includes positioning an intraluminal device in the recipient including positioning the intraluminal device in a lumen that experiences peristalsis. The intraluminal device has a surface defined by a wall. The surface is configured to generally conform to the shape and size of a portion of the lumen. The wall is adapted to reduce luminal spasm resulting from the peristalsis. | 11-07-2013 |
20140018611 | BARIATRIC DEVICE AND METHOD - A bariatric device includes an esophageal member having an esophageal surface that is configured to generally conform to the shape and size of a portion of the esophagus and an anchoring technique anchoring the esophageal member to the portion of the esophagus. The bariatric device includes a cardiac member having a cardiac surface that is configured to generally conform to the shape and size of a portion of the cardiac portion of the stomach and a connector connected with the esophageal member and the cardiac member to cause strain to be applied by the cardiac member to the cardiac portion of the stomach. The strain applied by the cardiac member to the cardiac portion of the stomach causes satiety in the absence of food. The connector is adapted to pass through the gastroesophageal junction while leaving a continuous portion of the gastroesophageal junction substantially unrestrained. | 01-16-2014 |
20140121585 | INTRALUMINAL DEVICE AND METHOD WITH ENHANCED ANTI-MIGRATION - An intraluminal device and method includes positioning the intraluminal device, such as a bariatric device, in a lumen that is subject to peristaltic waves, such as the GI tract. The intraluminal device includes a surface defined by a wall having opposite end portions. The surface is configured to generally conform to the shape and size of a portion of the lumen. The end portions are spaced apart along an axis in the direction of peristaltic movement along the lumen. The cover has at least one opening therein between the end portions in order to resist peristaltic waves causing distal migration of the device. | 05-01-2014 |
20150025313 | INTRALUMINAL DEVICE DELIVERY TECHNIQUE - A technique for deploying an intraluminal device, such as a bariatric device, in a mammalian lumen, such as the gastrointestinal tract, includes positioning a visualization device through an orifice, such as a natural orifice, into the mammalian lumen. A deployment device having the intraluminal device mounted thereto is guided to the mammalian lumen. The intraluminal device, which has a lumen wall that is configured to the size and shape of a portion of the mammalian lumen, is at least partially deployed from the deployment device in the mammalian lumen. The at least partially deployed intraluminal device is positioned with the deployment device while a position of said intraluminal device is visualized with the visualization device. | 01-22-2015 |
20150039092 | MUCOSAL CAPTURE FIXATION OF MEDICAL DEVICE - A medical device adapted to be fixed in a hollow organ or cavity lined with mucosa includes a wall having an outer surface with a size and shape that is configured to a portion of a cavity or hollow organ lined with mucosa and a fixation mechanism. The fixation mechanism is adapted to fix the wall with the portion of the cavity or hollow organ. The fixation mechanism has at least two adjacent openings in the wall between proximal and distal ends of the wall. The openings being large enough to receive a section of the mucosa extending in the openings when said wall is positioned in the hollow organ or cavity. The openings are separated by a bridge and are close enough together that the mucosa that extends into the openings comes together over the bridge to fix the medical device in the hollow organ or cavity. | 02-05-2015 |
20150182239 | ENDOSCOPIC FIXATION OF A MEDICAL DEVICE USING MUCOSAL CAPTURE - An endoscopic method of fixing an intraluminal device in a lumen or hollow organ lined with mucosa includes positioning the intraluminal device in the lumen or hollow organ lined with mucosa and having a fixation device at a distal end portion of the endoscope. A fixation device at a distal end of an endoscope includes a body having a distal sealing portion. The sealing portion is positioned against the wall of the intraluminal device over a mucosal capture opening. Suction is applied through the endoscope and body to at least partially draw mucosa into the mucosal capture opening. The mucosa is retained in the mucosal capture opening. | 07-02-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080229370 | TV-centric system - A TV has a TV processor and a display presenting a map showing the topology of the home network of which the TV is a part. Upon initial energization the TV discovers network devices in the home, uploads this information to an Internet server, which in turn sends back to the TV necessary information for configuring the network, without any user interaction to configure network devices. | 09-18-2008 |
20110096924 | ANTIPIRACY KEY SEGMENTATION FOR HFC MULTICAST DISTRIBUTION FROM MASTER HEADEND TO CABLE HUBS - A method of segregating a hybrid fiber cable network involves assigning a packet identifier (PID) to each of a plurality of hubs on the hybrid fiber cable network; assigning a distinct decryption method to each of the plurality of hubs, so that each of the plurality of hubs is identifiable by its associated decryption method and PID; generating selectively multiple encrypted content for transmission to the hubs, where content encrypted for use by each hub is identified by the hub's assigned PID; and transmitting the selectively multiple encrypted content over the hybrid fiber cable network to the plurality of hubs. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. | 04-28-2011 |
20110219399 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REGISTERING AND THE SUBSEQUENT SELECTION OF USER SELECTED ADVERTISEMENT DURING PLAYBACK - According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of registering, and perhaps substituting broadcast television advertisements for lesser, time intensive advertisements is described. The method comprises (i) receiving digital content including segments of a audiovisual program separated by at least one broadcast advertisement; (ii) detecting an operation that alters playback of the broadcast advertisement; (iii) in response to detecting the alters playback, retrieving a stored advertisement from a local memory storage unit, the stored advertisement being associated with a genre of advertisements selected by a user; and (iv) outputting for display the stored advertisement in lieu of the broadcast advertisement, the stored advertisement having a playback time less than a prescribed amount of a normal playback time of the broadcast advertisement. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 09-08-2011 |
20110219400 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REPLACING A BROADCASTED ADVERTISEMENT IN RESPONSE TO AN ATTEMPT BY THE VIEWER TO SKIP OR FAST-FORWARD THROUGH THE ADVERTISEMENT - According to one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus comprises a tuner/demodulation unit, a data storage unit and a data processing unit. The data processing unit is coupled to the tuner/demodulation unit and the data storage unit. The data processing unit is adapted to detect an operation that accelerates playback of an advertisement that is part of incoming digital content received by the tuner/demodulation unit, and in response to detecting the accelerated playback, to retrieve a secondary advertisement from the data storage unit, to display the secondary advertisement and to display an image that allows the user to discern the remaining time for such a display. The secondary advertisement has a playback time greater than a normal playback time of the advertisement. | 09-08-2011 |
20110219401 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REPLACING A BROADCASTED ADVERTISEMENT BASED ON BOTH HEURISTIC INFORMATION AND ATTEMPTS IN ALTERING THE PLAYBACK OF THE ADVERTISEMENT - According to one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus comprises a data storage unit and a data processing unit. The data storage unit is adapted to store a plurality of advertisements. Coupled to the data storage unit, the data processing unit is adapted to detect an operation that alters playback of an advertisement being part of downloaded digital content, and in response to detecting the operation, to select one of the stored advertisements. The selection is based on heuristic information that is maintained for each of the plurality of stored advertisements. | 09-08-2011 |
20110219402 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REPLACING A BROADCASTED ADVERTISEMENT BASED ON HEURISTIC INFORMATION - According to one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus comprises a data storage unit and a data processing unit. Coupled to the data storage unit, the data processing unit is adapted to the access heuristic information stored in the data storage unit and transmitting a signal that is used to at least partially control selection of broadcast advertisements being downloaded so that the broadcast advertisements are more suited to the subject matter of interest to the user. | 09-08-2011 |
20120154553 | Simultaneous Viewing of Multiple Viewer-Specific Programming on a Single Display - In certain implementations, a method consistent with certain embodiments involves associating a first headset with a first viewer profile; associating the first headset with a first audio channel within an audio channel multiplex and with a first set of display refresh time slots; selecting a first advertisement based on criteria contained in the first viewer profile; displaying a video portion of the first advertisement on a video display during the first set of refresh time slots associated with the first headset; transmitting a synchronization signal that is synchronized to a video frame refresh clock to establish the video time slots; and transmitting an audio portion of the first advertisement on the first audio channel associated with the headset. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. | 06-21-2012 |
20120296652 | OBTAINING INFORMATION ON AUDIO VIDEO PROGRAM USING VOICE RECOGNITION OF SOUNDTRACK - A method for obtaining information on an audio video program being presented on a consumer electronics (CE) device includes receiving at the CE device a viewer command to recognize the audio video program being presented on the CE device. The method also includes receiving signals from a microphone representative of audio from the audio video program as sensed by the microphone as the audio is played real time on the CE device. The method then includes executing voice recognition on the signals from the microphone to determine words in the audio from the audio video program as sensed by the microphone. Words are then uploaded to an Internet server, where they are correlated to at least one audio video script. The method then includes receiving back from the Internet server information correlated by the server using the words to the audio video program. | 11-22-2012 |
20140208375 | DISTRIBUTED NON-REAL-TIME CONTENT - A method is provided for a reception apparatus to access non-real-time (NRT) content. The method includes receiving, by the reception apparatus, a selection of the NRT content included in a digital television broadcast signal broadcast by a content source. The reception apparatus determines whether the selected NRT content is stored in a memory of the reception apparatus. When the selected NRT content is determined not to be stored in the memory, the reception apparatus determines whether the selected NRT content can be downloaded from an external device that is accessible via a communication network. When the selected NRT content is determined to be downloadable from an external device that is accessible via the communication network, the reception apparatus downloads the selected NRT content from the external device. | 07-24-2014 |
20140208380 | STORING NON-REAL TIME CONTENT - A method is provided for a reception apparatus to store non-real-time (NRT) content. The method includes receiving, by the reception apparatus, the NRT content included in a digital television broadcast signal broadcast from a content source. The received NRT content, included in the digital television broadcast signal broadcast from the content source, is stored in a memory of the reception apparatus. The reception apparatus outputs the NRT content stored in the memory for presentation to a user. The reception apparatus receives a request to store the NRT content in an external device and, in response, sends an instruction via a communication network to store the NRT content in the external device. | 07-24-2014 |
20140253801 | Managing Extra Space on Ultra High Definition Display Presenting High Definition Video - A UHD display presents multiple video windows and a control device enables a user to establish the layout of the windows, either by selecting from templates of predetermined layouts or by constructing a custom layout. The UHD display can communicate messages to the control device if a particular layout fails to conform to predetermined rules depending on the types of applications to be presented in the various windows. | 09-11-2014 |
20140253814 | Managing Extra Space on Ultra High Definition Display Presenting High Definition Visual Content - A UHD display presents multiple visual content windows and a control device enables a user to select which window on the TV to present visual content from the control device. The reverse may be provided for, i.e., the control device may present a user interface (UI) that the user can operate to cause visual content from a TV region selected using the control device to be sent from the TV to the control device for presentation thereon. | 09-11-2014 |
20140266710 | SECURITY SYSTEM APPLICATIONS FOR LOCATIONS TO BE SECURED - A system, method, and computer program product determine when a user's mobile device has left a secured location, such as a house or office, without predefined site security settings being met, and responsively inform the user of any security anomalies. A predetermined distance threshold is compared with the distance between the mobile device, and the secured location. If the distance exceeds the threshold and a trigger event is detected, an alert is transmitted. An alert may also be sent when a mobile object to be secured is moved away from the user's mobile device by a distance that exceeds the predetermined distance threshold. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282719 | SIMULTANEOUS VIEWING OF MULTIPLE VIEWER-SPECIFIC PROGRAMMING ON A SINGLE DISPLAY - In certain implementations, a method consistent with certain embodiments involves associating a first headset with a first viewer profile; associating the first headset with a first set of display refresh time slots; selecting a first advertisement based on criteria contained in the first viewer profile; displaying a video portion of the first advertisement on a video display during the first set of refresh time slots associated with the first headset; and transmitting a synchronization signal that is synchronized to a video frame refresh clock to establish the video time slots. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. | 09-18-2014 |
20150078595 | AUDIO ACCESSIBILITY - An audio delivery method. An image of a listening area is captured and processed to locate a position of a listener in the room. A stored listener profile associated with the listener is retrieved and audio characteristics are established based on the listener's profile. A directional beam of audio is directed toward the listener's ears and the directional beam is adjusted to track movement of the listener. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. | 03-19-2015 |
20150124169 | HOME AUDIO VIDEO DISPLAY DEVICE (AVDD) AS SENSOR MONITOR - Method, computer storage device, and system that establish communication with at least first and second sensors, receive information from the sensors, and determine whether the information from the first sensor satisfies a first alert threshold. It is also determined whether the information from the second sensor satisfies a second alert threshold. Responsive to a determination that the information from the first sensor satisfies the first alert threshold and that the information from the second sensor does not satisfy the second alert threshold, an alert signal is not generated. On the other hand, responsive to a determination that the information from the first sensor satisfies the first alert threshold and that the information from the second sensor satisfies the second alert threshold, the alert signal is generated for output thereof to a display device. | 05-07-2015 |
20150208123 | IPTV START SPEED ENHANCEMENT - An Internet audio video device receives a command to power up from a standby mode. This causes the device to start a boot process, and while the boot process proceeds. The process determines a next content selection from a usage pattern database. The Internet audio video device is set to the retrieved settings. At completion of the boot process the audio video device is operational at the retrieved settings. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. | 07-23-2015 |
20150215691 | DISTRIBUTED WIRELESS SPEAKER SYSTEM WITH LIGHT SHOW - In an audio speaker network, the individual speakers of the network have lamps on them that are controlled to present a light show in synchrony with the audio being played by the system. | 07-30-2015 |
20150215699 | WIRELESS SPEAKER SYSTEM WITH NOISE CANCELATION - A networked-speaker system which includes noise cancelling for active suppression of unwanted sounds. Feed-forward or feed-back cancelation can be used as appropriate for the location of the microphone sensing the noise. | 07-30-2015 |
20150215722 | AUDIO SPEAKER SYSTEM WITH VIRTUAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE - In a multi-speaker audio system for, e.g., a home entertainment system or other entertainment system, each networked-speaker (wired or wireless) can be assigned a particular voice, instrument, group of voices and/or instruments, or a particular stage location of a performance to reproduce a more realistic and life-like audio experience. | 07-30-2015 |
20150215723 | WIRELESS SPEAKER SYSTEM WITH DISTRIBUTED LOW (BASS) FREQUENCY - A speaker system comprised of more than one speaker, which utilizes the known characteristics and location of each speaker to enhance low frequency (low (bass) frequency) performance of the system. | 07-30-2015 |
20150222941 | METHODS, INFORMATION PROVIDING SYSTEM, AND RECEPTION APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTION OF AT LEAST ONE CONTENT VERSION - An information providing system, reception apparatus, and methods thereof are provided for providing content data. The method for providing content includes generating the content data. A digital television pre-broadcast signal, including the content data, is generated. At least one portion of the digital television pre-broadcast signal is extracted. The at least one portion of the digital television pre-broadcast signal is packaged into one or more Internet Protocol (IP) data packets. A digital television broadcast signal, including the remainder of the digital television pre-broadcast signal, is generated. The one or more IP data packets is provided via a communication network. The digital television broadcast signal is provided on a predetermined radio frequency (RF) channel. | 08-06-2015 |
20160086155 | E-CARD TRANSACTION AUTHORIZATION BASED ON GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION - Transactions using a bank customer's electronic debit or credit card (“e-card”) are authorized based on geographic location. For example, a transaction may be denied if it is determined that no legitimate Point of Sale (POS) terminals are in the area of the e-card. | 03-24-2016 |
20160086162 | AUTOMATIC NOTIFICATION OF TRANSACTION BY BANK CARD TO CUSTOMER DEVICE - A bank customer's electronic debit or credit card (“e-card”) automatically reports to the customer's CE device the receipt of transaction interrogations the e-card receives from a point of sale (POS) apparatus. The e-card may simply report to the CE device and respond to the interrogation, or it may await a signal from the CE device prior to responding to the interrogation. | 03-24-2016 |
20160086165 | CUSTOMER'S CE DEVICE INTERROGATING CUSTOMER'S E-CARD FOR TRANSACTION INFORMATION - A bank customer's electronic debit or credit card (“e-card”) is interrogated by the customer's CE device to report transaction information including interrogations the e-card receives from a point of sale (POS) apparatus. | 03-24-2016 |
20160086180 | USING BIOMETRICS TO RECOVER PASSWORD IN CUSTOMER MOBILE DEVICE - A bank customer's CE device is used to authorize transactions using the customer's electronic debit or credit card (“e-card”). Biometric input is used to recover the password of the customer device if lost. | 03-24-2016 |
20160086181 | LIMITING E-CARD TRANSACTIONS BASED ON LACK OF PROXIMITY TO ASSOCIATED CE DEVICE - A bank customer's CE device is used to authorize transactions using the customer's electronic debit or credit card (“e-card”). If the CE device is determined not to be proximate to the e-card, the transaction is limited. | 03-24-2016 |
20160086286 | USING CE DEVICE RECORD OF E-CARD TRANSACTIONS TO RECONCILE BANK RECORD - Transactions using a bank customer's electronic debit or credit card (“e-card”) are monitored by the card owner's consumer electronic (CE) device and reported to a server associated with the financial institution maintaining the e-card records for reconciliation to reveal possible fraud. | 03-24-2016 |
20160086287 | ANALYZING HACK ATTEMPTS OF E-CARDS - Transactions using a bank customer's electronic debit or credit card (“e-card”) are monitored by the card owner's consumer electronic (CE) device and reported to a server associated with the financial institution maintaining the e-card records for analysis of aggregated hack attempts. | 03-24-2016 |