Michael A Alexander

US Patent:

8472783, Jun 25, 2013

Filed:

Nov 30, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/957148

Inventors:

Michael Alexander - Denver CO, US

Assignee:

EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. - Englewood CO

International Classification:

H04N 9/80

US Classification:

386241, 386 E9011

Abstract:

In various embodiments, a recording and playback manager of a digital video recorder (DVR), set top box, receiver or other device stores and accesses statistics in a statistics file related to average distances between reference frames (e. g. , intra frames or I-frames) within blocks of the video data of the recording. Accessing these statistics during playback enables the system to more accurately locate reference frames to display while executing the playback in a trick mode such as fast forward, rewind or skip. The average distance between reference frames for a particular block of video data may be used to jump from one reference frame to the next reference frame in that block during playback in trick mode.

US Patent:

20100309375, Dec 9, 2010

Filed:

Jun 9, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/480936

Inventors:

Michael Thomas Alexander - Denver CO, US

Assignee:

EchoStar Technologies, LLC - Englewood CO

International Classification:

H04N 5/50

US Classification:

348570, 348E05097

Abstract:

A method of managing a graphical display incorporating individual graphical elements is presented. In the method, a data set is created for each of the graphical elements, wherein each of the data sets describes a graphical feature of the associated graphical element. A separate function is associated with each of the data sets, wherein each of the functions is configured modify the data set of the associated graphical element to alter a graphical feature of the associated graphical element. A signal influencing the graphical display is generated. In response to the signal, the function associated with each of at least one of the data sets is initiated. The graphical display is transferred to an output device for viewing by a user.

US Patent:

20110194840, Aug 11, 2011

Filed:

Feb 8, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/702090

Inventors:

Michael Alexander - Denver CO, US

Assignee:

ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES LLC - Englewood CO

International Classification:

H04N 5/91
H04N 5/76

US Classification:

386293, 386E05003, 386296

Abstract:

Systems and methods allow for automatic scheduling of audio/video recordings made by in a digital video recorder (DVR) or similar device. The various times during which each of the programming events will be available are determined and maintained in a list. Conflicting periods of time during which multiple programming events are simultaneously received are identified, and a schedule by which each of the programming events is to be recorded is created. Conflicts can be resolved by automatically scheduling the recording of one or more programming events to occur during a re-broadcast of the event at a different time that does not conflict with the other events.

US Patent:

20110310305, Dec 22, 2011

Filed:

Jun 21, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/819417

Inventors:

Michael Alexander - Denver CO, US

Assignee:

ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C. - Englewood CO

International Classification:

H04N 5/44

US Classification:

348725, 348E05096

Abstract:

Various embodiments facilitate history-based decision making in television receivers, such as set-top boxes. In one embodiment, a history-based decision facilitator (“HBDF”) is provided. The HBDF facilitates decision making in a television receiver based on device history data received from the television receiver. In one embodiment, the HBDF receives an indication of an operation to be performed by the television receiver, the operation including one or more parameters. In response, the HBDF determines values for the one or more parameters, based on device history data received from the television receiver. The HBDF then provides the determined parameter values to the television receiver. In one example application, the HBDF can determine a tuner of the television receiver to utilize for recording a program, based on the history of the television receiver, such as that the determined tuner is typically idle during the scheduled recording time period.

US Patent:

20120246167, Sep 27, 2012

Filed:

Mar 24, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/071179

Inventors:

Michael Alexander - Denver CO, US

Assignee:

EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. - Englewood CO

International Classification:

G06F 17/30
G06F 7/00

US Classification:

707741, 707736, 707E17014

Abstract:

A player utilizes a bookmark file to process content. The bookmark file includes a sequential series of bookmarks that each include information specifying how to process content. In one or more implementations, only some bookmarks are indicated as searchable. When the player searches for a particular bookmark, it only searches bookmarks indicated as searchable. In various other implementations, the player utilizes an index to search for a particular bookmark. In some cases, the index contains an entry for each bookmark in the bookmark file that includes only the type and location of the respective bookmark. In other cases, only some of the bookmarks may be indicated as searchable and the index may only include entries for the searchable bookmarks. However, in these cases, the index may not include entries for bookmarks indicated as non-searchable. In either set of cases, the index may be updated if the bookmark file changes.

US Patent:

20120246197, Sep 27, 2012

Filed:

Mar 24, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/071279

Inventors:

Michael Alexander - Denver CO, US

Assignee:

EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. - Englewood CO

International Classification:

G06F 17/30

US Classification:

707781, 707E17059

Abstract:

A content player receives user-specific information from different users and associates the information with content. Subsequently, the player receives a request to perform a content-altering operation. In response, the player performs the operation such that the information for the requesting user is affected, but not the information for other users. The information may include a placeholder, an indication as to whether the content and/or the entire content has been accessed, a protection status indicating whether or not the content can be deleted, and so on. The information may be added to and/or configured to accompany and/or otherwise be associated with the content. The player may identify the user so that different information for different users can be associated with the content for the respective user, such as by prompting the user to select an identifier from a list or perform a “log in.”

US Patent:

20120294591, Nov 22, 2012

Filed:

May 20, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/112789

Inventors:

Michael Alexander - Denver CO, US

Assignee:

EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. - Englewood CO

International Classification:

H04N 5/76

US Classification:

386292, 386291, 386E05001

Abstract:

A method for recording multimedia content. The method includes providing instructions to record a plurality of segments of multimedia content, each of the plurality of segments having a recording start time and a recording end time associated therewith. The method further includes providing instructions regarding recording settings for one or more first segments of multimedia content to be recorded. The method also includes comparing modified start time and/or modified end times with the recording start times and/or the recording end times associated with the plurality of segments of multimedia content and determining, based at least in part on the comparison, whether to record the one or more first segments with the modified start time and/or the modified end time.

US Patent:

20130251350, Sep 26, 2013

Filed:

May 22, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/900362

Inventors:

Michael Alexander - Denver CO, US

Assignee:

EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. - Englewood CO

International Classification:

H04N 9/87

US Classification:

386344

Abstract:

In various embodiments, a recording and playback manager of a digital video recorder (DVR), set top box, receiver or other device stores and accesses statistics in a statistics file related to average distances between reference frames (e.g., intra frames or I-frames) within blocks of the video data of the recording. Accessing these statistics during playback enables the system to more accurately locate reference frames to display while executing the playback in a trick mode such as fast forward, rewind or skip. The average distance between reference frames for a particular block of video data may be used to jump from one reference frame to the next reference frame in that block during playback in trick mode.