Mark Philip Hanley

US Patent:

7176794, Feb 13, 2007

Filed:

Jan 6, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/753915

Inventors:

Jon A. Fairhurst - Camas WA, US
Henry Y. Fang - Cerritos CA, US
Bryan S. Hallberg - Vancouver WA, US
Mark G. Hanley - Skamania WA, US
Jeffrey B. Sampsell - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc. - Camas WA

International Classification:

G08B 3/00
G08B 5/00
G08B 7/00
G08B 13/00
H04N 7/00
H04N 11/00
H04N 7/14
H04N 5/44

US Classification:

340566, 3406916, 340692, 348552, 348553, 348 1401, 348 1402, 348 1403

Abstract:

Some embodiments of the invention include a television system having an internal microphone for implementing a voice-messaging system. Using the microphone, the television system detects a message spoken by a user of the television system, and records the message to a memory. Some embodiments of the invention may also record metadata about the message. Embodiments of the invention alert an intended recipient of the message using the audio output or video output of the television system, and subsequently reproduce the message using the audio output of the television system. Other embodiments of the invention are described in the specification and the claims.

US Patent:

7221407, May 22, 2007

Filed:

Jun 14, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/868591

Inventors:

Jon Arthur Fairhurst - Camas WA, US
Henry Y. Fang - Cerritos CA, US
Bryan Severt Hallberg - Vancouver WA, US
Mark Gregory Hanley - Skamania WA, US
Jeffrey B. Sampsell - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc. - Camas WA

International Classification:

H04N 7/00
H04N 11/00

US Classification:

348552, 348589

Abstract:

Method and apparatus for use with televisions having an internal Java engine are included among the embodiments. In exemplary systems, a PCMCIA port allows the Java engine to load and execute Java applets selected by the viewer. Provision is made for system-aware applets to run concurrently with platform-independent applets on different Java display planes that are merged for display. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

US Patent:

7305680, Dec 4, 2007

Filed:

Aug 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/218333

Inventors:

Jon Arthur Fairhurst - Camas WA, US
Mark Gregory Hanley - Skamania WA, US
Vishnu Kumar Shivaji Rao - Vancouver WA, US

Assignee:

Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc. - Camas WA

International Classification:

G06F 9/54
G06F 9/46
G06F 15/16
G06F 15/173

US Classification:

719318, 709223, 709224

Abstract:

An electronic device is disclosed that is adapted for use in a distributed network of electronic devices. The device includes a processor, a communications layer and memory. The communications layer is in electronic communication with the processor for communications with the distributed network. The memory is in electronic communication with the processor for storing data. A software element is configured by an application to send a request to a plurality of receiver components where the request requires a response from each receiver component of the plurality of receiver components. The device also includes a smart listener configured to receive the request from the software element and to store the request in the memory. The smart listener is configured to transmit the request to the plurality of receiver components through the distributed network and to listen for responses from any of the plurality of receiver components.

US Patent:

7719617, May 18, 2010

Filed:

Apr 16, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/735949

Inventors:

Jon Arthur Fairhurst - Camas WA, US
Henry Y. Fang - Cerritos CA, US
Bryan Severt Hallberg - Vancouver WA, US
Mark Gregory Hanley - Skamania WA, US
Jeffrey B. Sampsell - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc. - Camas WA

International Classification:

H04N 7/00
H04N 11/00

US Classification:

348552, 348589

Abstract:

Method and apparatus for use with televisions having an internal Java engine are included among the embodiments. In exemplary systems, a PCMCIA port allows the Java engine to load and execute Java applets selected by the viewer. Provision is made for system-aware applets to run concurrently with platform-independent applets on different Java display planes that are merged for display. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

US Patent:

20040194139, Sep 30, 2004

Filed:

Mar 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/401445

Inventors:

Vishnu Rao - Vancouver WA, US
Mark Hanley - Skamania WA, US
Gary Feather - Camas WA, US

Assignee:

Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.

International Classification:

H04N005/445
G06F003/00
G06F013/00

US Classification:

725/052000, 725/053000, 725/039000

Abstract:

A system, a methodology and a related, on-screen, interactive user interface which displays electronic programming guide (EPG) text, with highlighted and user-selectable keywords that enable focused, precision informational navigation through the available EPG database. The display also presents different categories of virtual tools that can be employed by a user for navigating purposes, accessible via a suitable remote, hand-held control device.

US Patent:

20040194140, Sep 30, 2004

Filed:

Mar 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/401943

Inventors:

Vishnu Rao - Vancouver WA, US
Mark Hanley - Skamania WA, US
Gary Feather - Camas WA, US

Assignee:

Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.

International Classification:

H04N005/445
G06F003/00
G06F013/00

US Classification:

725/052000, 725/053000, 725/037000

Abstract:

An intelligent, interactively maneuverable interface display of current electronic programming guide (EPG) textual information presentable on a user's television screen. The display, which is organized as a context display, includes keyword-sensitized text, and a virtual, user-employable navigation tool, such as a scrollbar tool, which, via a hand-held remote control device, enables a user quickly, intuitively, and with appropriate user-specific focus to locate programming material of special interest. Display information which is thus accessed by user manipulation of this tool is arranged in a sensible hierarchical manner so as to define different levels of focus-resolution which relate to different “positions” of a handle in the scrollbar tool.

US Patent:

20050149966, Jul 7, 2005

Filed:

Aug 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/910932

Inventors:

Jon Fairhurst - Camas WA, US
Henry Fang - Cerritos CA, US
Bryan Hallberg - Vancouver WA, US
Mark Hanley - Skamania WA, US
Vishnu Rao - Vancouver WA, US
Jeffrey Sampsell - San Francisco CA, US

International Classification:

G06F015/173
H04N007/16
H04N007/025
H04N007/10
G06F003/00
H04N005/445
G06F013/00

US Classification:

725032000, 725136000

Abstract:

The invention relates to an improved interactive television having an alert manager. The alert manager alerts a viewer of events. For example, the alert manager alerts the viewer that email has arrived in his inbox or that a text message has been sent to his computer. The alert manager manages event alerts in an easy and non-intrusive manner to enhance the viewer's experience.

US Patent:

20050149969, Jul 7, 2005

Filed:

Oct 22, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/971579

Inventors:

Vishnu Kumar - Vancouver WA, US
Mark Hanley - Skamania WA, US

International Classification:

H04N005/445

US Classification:

725040000, 725037000, 725059000, 725044000, 725045000, 725047000, 725052000

Abstract:

A method for displaying content on a video display comprising the steps of coupling the video display with an external storage device having content files stored thereon. The content files from the external storage device are then grouped into one or more groups of content files by file type. Each of the groups are associated with a selectable icon, and the grouped content files of a particular type are displayed on the video display responsive to selection of the associated icon.