John David Hendricks

US Patent:

6408437, Jun 18, 2002

Filed:

Aug 5, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/906469

Inventors:

John S. Hendricks - Potomac MD
Alfred E. Bonner - Bethesda MD
Richard E. Wunderlich - Alpharetta GA

Assignee:

Discovery Communications, Inc. - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

H04N 7173

US Classification:

725132, 725134

Abstract:

A novel reprogrammable set top terminal for a television program delivery system which suggests programs for viewing is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for reprogramming set top terminals, and selecting and displaying programs to suggest to subscribers for viewing. The invention is particularly useful in television program delivery systems with hundreds of channels of programming, a menu driven program selection system, and a program control information signal which carries data and identifies the available program choices. Specifically, the invention relates to remote reprogramming of terminal memory and the gathering and analysis of data for selecting programs to suggest to a subscriber. The invention is a terminal which includes a means for receiving incoming signals, a processor, memory, and a means to generate menu screens for display on a TV or monitor. Various data gathering and analysis techniques are used to customize selection of programs for display on a menu.

US Patent:

6463585, Oct 8, 2002

Filed:

Apr 3, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/054419

Inventors:

John S. Hendricks - Potomac MD
Alfred E. Bonner - Bethesda MD
John S. McCoskey - Derwood MD
Michael L. Asmussen - Herndon VA

Assignee:

Discovery Communications, Inc. - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

H04N 710

US Classification:

725 35, 725 9, 725116, 725134

Abstract:

A novel multiple channel architecture is designed to allow targeted advertising directed to television terminals connected to an operations center or a cable headend. Program channels carry television programs. During commercial breaks in the television programs, advertisements, which are also broadcast on the program channel, are displayed. However, additional feeder channels carry alternate advertising that may be better suited for certain viewing audiences. The operations center or the cable headend generate a group assignment plan that assigns the television terminals to groups, based on factors such as area of dominant influence and household income. A switching plan is then generated that instructs the television terminals to remain with the program channel or to switch to one of the alternate feeder channels during the program breaks. The television terminals record which channels were viewed during the program breaks, and report this information to the cable headends and the operations center. The reported information is used to generate billing for commercial advertisers, and to analyze viewer watching habits.

US Patent:

6515680, Feb 4, 2003

Filed:

Sep 12, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/928630

Inventors:

John S. Hendricks - Potomac MD
Alfred E. Bonner - Bethesda MD
Eric C. Berkobin - Woodstock GA

Assignee:

Discovery Communications, Inc. - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

G09G 500

US Classification:

345716, 725 39, 725 40, 725 42

Abstract:

A viewer interface for a television program delivery system is described. The innovation relates to methods and devices for viewer pathways to television programs. Specifically, the interface involves hardware and software used in conjunction with a television at the viewer home to create a user friendly menu based approach to television program access. The device is particularly useful in a program delivery system with hundreds of programs and a data signal carrying program information. The disclosure describes menu generation and menu selection of television programs.

US Patent:

6539548, Mar 25, 2003

Filed:

Aug 15, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/912934

Inventors:

John S. Hendricks - Potomac MD
Alfred E. Bonner - Bethesda MD

Assignee:

Discovery Communications, Inc. - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

H04N 7173

US Classification:

725109, 725 37, 725 91

Abstract:

An Operations Center for television entertainment systems that provide television programming to consumer homes is disclosed. The Operations Center organizes and packages television programming and program information for delivery to and from consumer homes. The Operations Center includes a computerized packaging system for creating a program control information signal.

US Patent:

6557173, Apr 29, 2003

Filed:

Nov 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/722744

Inventors:

John S. Hendricks - Potomac MD

Assignee:

Discovery Communications, Inc. - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

H04N 716

US Classification:

725142, 725100, 725110, 725131, 725133, 725141

Abstract:

A portable electronic book viewer receives electronic text and graphic files, or electronic books, by connection to a television program delivery system. The electronic books may provided as compressed data that is transmitted with a video signal. The electronic books are transmitted in the vertical blanking interval of the video signal. The electronic books may be received at a set top terminal, and stored in memory at the set top terminal. A hardware upgrade may be added to a conventional set top terminal to provide for reception, storage and processing of the electronic books. Such storage may be by way of a hard disk, a floppy disk, an optical disk, and a magnetic cartridge for example. The portable viewer may receive the electronic books from the set top terminal. The portable viewer may then decompress the electronic books for display and viewing.

US Patent:

6675386, Jan 6, 2004

Filed:

Sep 4, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/923091

Inventors:

John S. Hendricks - Potomac MD
John S. McCoskey - Derwood MD
Michael Asmussen - Herndon VA

Assignee:

Discovery Communications, Inc. - Silver Spring MD

International Classification:

H04N 712

US Classification:

725105, 348143

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for communicating multiple live video feeds over the internet. Users may be able to view a plurality of remote locations in real time. In another embodiment of the invention, users are able to remotely control a video picture of a distant location. The remote control may be either actual control of a remote video camera or perceived remote control by the manipulation of audiovisual data streams. In one embodiment, text, graphics, and other video information supplement one or more video pictures to provide an educational and entertaining system. In accordance with the present invention, information is accessible to users who are viewing multiple video pictures. The information relates and describes what is being viewed. Users who have different types of equipment, with different data rates, are able to access and use the system of the present invention.

US Patent:

6738978, May 18, 2004

Filed:

Oct 23, 1996

Appl. No.:

08/735549

Inventors:

John S. Hendricks - Potomac MD
Alfred E. Bonner - Bethesda MD

Assignee:

Discovery Communications, Inc. - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

H04N 7173

US Classification:

725 35, 725 36, 725 9, 725116

Abstract:

A novel network controller for use with a digital cable headend capable of monitoring and controlling set top terminals in a television program delivery system is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for a network controller that manages a configuration of set top terminals in a program delivery system. The invention is particularly useful in program delivery systems with hundreds of channels of programming, a menu driven program selection system, and a program control information signal that carries data and identifies available program choices. Specifically, the invention modifies a program control information signal at the cable headend before the modified signal is transmitted to each set top terminal. This signal is used with polling methods to receive upstream data from the set top terminals. The invention initiates such upstream data retrieval, gathers all data received and compiles viewer demographics information and programs watched information.

US Patent:

6828993, Dec 7, 2004

Filed:

Aug 23, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/643722

Inventors:

John S. Hendricks - Potomac MD
Alfred E. Bonner - Bethesda MD
Eric C. Berkobin - Woodstock GA

Assignee:

Discovery Communications, Inc. - Silver Spring MD

International Classification:

G09G 500

US Classification:

345819, 345820, 345829, 345838, 345840, 345841, 345851, 725 36, 725 42, 725 43, 725 49, 725 52, 725 56, 725 61

Abstract:

A viewer interface for a television program delivery system is described. The innovation relates to methods and devices for viewer pathways to television programs. Specifically, the interface involves hardware and software used in conjunction with a television at the viewer home to create a user friendly menu based approach to television program access. The device is particularly useful in a program delivery system with hundreds of programs and a data signal carrying program information. The disclosure describes menu generation and menu selection of television programs.