Michael L Dugan

US Patent:

7697070, Apr 13, 2010

Filed:

Apr 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/118464

Inventors:

Michael T Dugan - Parker CO, US
Mark W Jackson - Littleton CO, US
Daniel J. Minnick - Littleton CO, US

International Classification:

H04N 5/46

US Classification:

348556, 348555

Abstract:

A method and apparatus are disclosed that automatically switch between displaying local standard definition television content and non-local, high definition television content. When the same television content is available for display in both standard and high definition formats, the television converter device preferentially displays the high definition format.

US Patent:

7805751, Sep 28, 2010

Filed:

Apr 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/117819

Inventors:

Michael T Dugan - Parker CO, US
Thomas T Taylor - Atlanta GA, US
Henry Gregg Martch - Parker CO, US
David A. Kummer - Highlands Ranch CO, US
Mark H. Gomez - Parker CO, US

International Classification:

H04N 7/16

US Classification:

725153, 725 59

Abstract:

The present invention provides a method and device that can easily configure an entertainment system automatically or semi-automatically. The reconfiguration of the entertainment system can be achieved by cycling through the possible configurations of the entertainment system (i. e. different combinations of operational states of the components that make up the entertainment system) by changing various operational states of certain components until an operable configuration is found. The invention may be implemented in any component of the entertainment system including a set-top-box, satellite receiver or a remote control.

US Patent:

7814510, Oct 12, 2010

Filed:

Apr 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/118462

Inventors:

Charles W Ergen - Englewood CO, US
Michael T. Dugan - Parker CO, US
David A Kummer - Highlands Ranch CO, US
William M Beals - Englewood CO, US
Daniel L Rudolph - Castle Rock CO, US
Mark H. Gomez - Parker CO, US
Henry Gregg Martch - Parker CO, US
Adam C Morzos - Parker CO, US

International Classification:

G06N 3/00
G06F 13/00
H04N 5/445
H04N 7/16
H04N 5/44

US Classification:

725 38, 725139, 348734

Abstract:

A remote control and method of programming a remote control for controlling components in an entertainment system are disclosed. The remote control may operate in multiple modes including a limited mode that prevents the remote control from sending predetermined commands to one or more components, even when instructed to do so by the user. In addition, the remote control may issue one or more commands to each component in response to a single user input.

US Patent:

8289455, Oct 16, 2012

Filed:

Oct 1, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/865156

Inventors:

William Michael Beals - Englewood CO, US
Michael T. Dugan - Parker CO, US

Assignee:

EchoStar Technologies, LLC - Englewood CO

International Classification:

H04N 5/44
H04N 7/16

US Classification:

348734, 725141, 725153

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

8341690, Dec 25, 2012

Filed:

Sep 28, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/891804

Inventors:

Michael T. Dugan - Parker CO, US
Thomas S. Taylor - Atlanta GA, US
Henry Gregg Martch - Parker CO, US
David A. Kummer - Highlands Ranch CO, US
Mark H. Gomez - Parker CO, US

Assignee:

EchoStar Corporation - Englewood CO

International Classification:

H04N 7/16

US Classification:

725153, 725151, 725 37, 348178

Abstract:

The present invention provides a method and device that can easily configure an entertainment system automatically or semi-automatically. The reconfiguration of the entertainment system can be achieved by cycling through the possible configurations of the entertainment system (i. e. different combinations of operational states of the components that make up the entertainment system) by changing various operational states of certain components until an operable configuration is found. The invention may be implemented in any component of the entertainment system including a set-top-box, satellite receiver or a remote control.

US Patent:

8386339, Feb 26, 2013

Filed:

Nov 23, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/953273

Inventors:

Dan J. Minnick - Littleton CO, US
Michael T. Dugan - Parker CO, US

Assignee:

EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. - Englewood CO

International Classification:

G06Q 30/00
H04N 7/173

US Classification:

705 2681, 705 268, 725133, 725134, 725141, 725142

Abstract:

A content receiver receives ordering information from a content provider for orderable content or products. The content receiver also derives information specific to the content receiver and dynamically generates a matrix code including the ordering information and the specific information. The content receiver then transmits the matrix code to a display and when the displayed matrix code is detected and decoded by a reader, the reader initiates an order for the orderable content to be transmitted to the content receiver or products. In some implementations, the orderable content may be ordered from the content provider, which may then transmit the ordered content to the content receiver. However, in other implementations the orderable content may be ordered from a third party provider. As such, the third party provider may transmit the ordered content to the content provider, which may then transmit it to the content receiver.

US Patent:

8607297, Dec 10, 2013

Filed:

Sep 13, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/940078

Inventors:

David A. Kummer - Highlands Ranch CO, US
Mark W. Jackson - Littleton CO, US
Michael T. Dugan - Parker CO, US
Daniel J. Minnick - Littleton CO, US

Assignee:

EchoStar Technologies, L.L.C. - Englewood CO

International Classification:

H04N 7/16

US Classification:

725142, 725 58, 725 89, 386 83

Abstract:

The present invention provides a method and apparatus to have a pay television distributor set timers for the user. The timers record programs either requested by the user or by the pay television distributor.

US Patent:

8613017, Dec 17, 2013

Filed:

Oct 4, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/897719

Inventors:

Charles W. Ergen - Englewood CO, US
Michael T. Dugan - Parker CO, US
David A. Kummer - Highlands Ranch CO, US
William M. Beals - Englewood CO, US
Daniel L. Rudolph - Castle Rock CO, US
Mark H. Gomez - Parker CO, US
Henry Gregg Martch - Parker CO, US
Adam C. Morzos - Parker CO, US

Assignee:

EchoStar Corporation - Englewood CO

International Classification:

G06F 3/00
G06F 13/00
H04N 5/445
H04N 5/44

US Classification:

725 38, 348734

Abstract:

A remote control and method of programming a remote control for controlling components in an entertainment system are disclosed. The remote control may operate in multiple modes including a limited mode that prevents the remote control from sending predetermined commands to one or more components, even when instructed to do so by the user. In addition, the remote control may issue one or more commands to each component in response to a single user input.