Patents Assigned to Viacom International Inc.
  • Patent number: 11184684
    Abstract: An operations center that performs a method that includes receiving a live content feed of a live event, inserting a time indication in the live content feed to generate a marked feed, the time indication indicative of a receive time that the live content feed is received at the operations center, encoding the marked feed to generate an Internet Protocol (IP) feed, the IP feed being exchanged through the operations center, determining a read time during a skip offset process corresponding to when the time indication is identified in the skip offset process, determining a propagation delay based on the read time and the receive time and generating a broadcast output that transitions, based on the propagation delay, from one of (i) the live event to recorded content or (ii) recorded content to the live event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: VIACOM INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Gregg William Riedel, Jonathan Edlin Clegg, Jeff Hess, Justin Keene Dorsa
  • Patent number: 11166055
    Abstract: The exemplary embodiments relate to devices, systems and methods for a streaming service to provide fast video stream startup at a user device. The streaming service may determine that a video stream for on-demand content is to be provided to the user device and is to include multiple subclips corresponding to the on-demand content and a dynamic content insertion opportunity (DCIO). A first set of multimedia data is transmitted to the user device that corresponds to a first subclip of the on-demand content. When a predetermined condition corresponding to the DCIO is satisfied, a second set of multimedia data is transmitted to the user device that includes multimedia data corresponding to at least the multiple subclips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: VIACOM INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Spencer Shanson, Matt Tretin, Ivan Zubok, Pavlo Kalmykov, Edwin Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11076182
    Abstract: A device, system, and method perform an automatic change over for transport streams. The method is performed at an output server. The method includes selecting a first transport stream. The method includes generating a first portion of an output based on the first transport stream. The method includes selecting a second transport stream. The method includes determining a frametime to synchronize first packets of the first transport stream to second packets of the second transport stream. The frametime os based on a start time of a content item included in the first transport stream and the second transport stream and a completed progression of the content item using the first transport stream. The method includes determining a location in the second transport stream based on the frametime. The method includes generating a second portion of the output based on the second transport stream starting at the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: VIACOM INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jeff Hess, Jonathan Edlin Clegg, Scott Danahy, Gregg William Riedel
  • Patent number: 11017442
    Abstract: Described are systems and methods for dynamic integration and presentation of advertising content and media content. The method includes receiving a request for media content from a remote computing device and providing, in response to the request, an interactive advertising unit. The interactive advertising unit includes a first content layer including the requested media content and a media player, a second content layer including the advertising content, wherein the advertising content comprises static content and interactive content, an integration module configured to display the requested media content in the media player, and reveal the advertising content in an area extending from a boundary of a playback window of the media player, wherein revealing the advertising content includes moving web page content to accommodate the advertising content. The method includes transmitting the interactive advertising unit for presentation on the remote computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: VIACOM INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jaime Hintz, Mark Fortner, Adam Solomon, Colin McNamara, Mark Theophilis
  • Patent number: 10997953
    Abstract: Provided herein is technology for displaying, reposition, and/or formatting graphics on a display. The technology includes receiving a graphics stream in a first playout format that includes a first display resolution and first display layout. The technology also includes determining a second playout format that includes a second display resolution and a second display layout. The technology further determines an area of importance within the first display layout given the first display layout, second display resolution, and second display layout. A preferred position within the second display layout is determined so that the preferred position is a location in the second display layout that is in a relatively similar location as the area of importance in the first display layout. The first playout format is converted into the second playout format using the area of importance and preferred position. Finally, the graphics stream is displayed in the second playout format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: VIACOM INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Gregg William Riedel, Jeff Hess, Scott Danahy
  • Patent number: 10932014
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for inserting breakpoints and reference links into a multimedia file. A method may comprise receiving breakpoint information from a content provider, wherein the breakpoint information is specific to a first digital media file of a plurality of digital media files, inserting a plurality of breakpoints into the first digital media file based on the breakpoint information, wherein the plurality of breakpoints designate at least one clip within the first digital media file, receiving a user share request from a user device to share the at least one clip within the first digital media file, and providing the user device with a sharable reference link to the at least one clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: VIACOM INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Vincenza Pizzo, Joel Sanders
  • Patent number: 10891016
    Abstract: A device, system, and method generate a graphical interface including a map for a set of items. The method includes identifying the items in the set of items. For each item, the method includes measuring a usage characteristic for the item at a predetermined time and generating an icon for the item, a display characteristic of the icon based on the usage characteristic. The method includes generating the map including the icons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: VIACOM INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Niral Parekh, Uta Knablein, Phil Kim, I-Wen Huang, Anna Fine
  • Patent number: 10827235
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for capturing one or more image frames of a real-time streaming video using a wrapper module configured to function with a video player. The wrapper module is in electronic communication with a server. The method includes receiving, by the wrapper module, during streaming of the video by the video player, an indication from a user of a current viewing location in the video to initiate image capturing. The method includes capturing, by the wrapper module, one or more image frames from the video based on the indication of the current viewing location. The method also includes transmitting, by the wrapper module, the one or more captured image frames to the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: VIACOM INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Johnson Tang, Sam Blake Hofsetter, Sarah Epler
  • Patent number: 10699474
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses, systems and methods for generating an interactive three-dimensional (ā€œ3Dā€) environment using virtual depth. A method comprises receiving a pre-rendered media file comprising a plurality of frames, receiving depth data related to the media file, wherein the depth data corresponds to each of the plurality of frames, creating an invisible three-dimensional (ā€œ3Dā€) framework of a first frame of the media file based on the corresponding depth data, and rendering a new first frame in real time to include the pre-rendered first frame, one or more virtual visible 3D objects and the invisible 3D framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: VIACOM INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Tamer William Eskander, Isaac Steele
  • Patent number: 10650418
    Abstract: Described are systems and methods for dynamic integration and presentation of advertising content and media content. The method includes receiving a request for media content from a remote computing device and providing, in response to the request, an interactive advertising unit. The interactive advertising unit includes a first content layer including the requested media content and a media player, a second content layer including the advertising content, wherein the advertising content comprises static content and interactive content, an integration module configured to display the requested media content in the media player, and reveal the advertising content in an area extending from a boundary of a playback window of the media player, wherein revealing the advertising content includes moving web page content to accommodate the advertising content. The method includes transmitting the interactive advertising unit for presentation on the remote computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: VIACOM INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jamie Hintz, Mark Fortner, Adam Solomon, Colin McNamara, Mark Theophilis
  • Patent number: 10600092
    Abstract: Described are methods and systems for dynamic integration and presentation of advertising content and media content. A server computing device receives a request for media content from a remote computing device, and provides an interactive advertising unit. The interactive advertising unit includes a first content layer including the requested media content, a media player, and website content; a second content layer including the advertising content, wherein the advertising content comprises video content; and an integration module. The integration module is configured to display the video content to match the boundaries of the media player, extend the display area of the video content beyond the boundaries of the media player and underneath the website content of the first content layer, reduce the display area of the video content after a period of time to match the boundaries of the media player, and display the requested media content in the media player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Viacom International Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Geer, III, Ellen To, Suzanne McDonnell, Jason Witt, Joanne Levy
  • Patent number: 10585558
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for a media application including an interactive grid display. A method may comprise displaying a grid including a central hub and a plurality of spokes connected to the central hub, inserting a first media element on a first spoke of the grid, the first media element including a first timestamp and activating a first media file, inserting a second media element on the first spoke of the grid, the second media element including a second timestamp and activating a second media file, wherein the second media file is related to the first media file, comparing the first timestamp to the second timestamp, and arranging the presentation of the first and second media elements along the first spoke based on the compared first and second timestamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Viacom International Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Evans, Darren Brelesky, Dhimiter Bozo, Pier Borra
  • Patent number: 10546611
    Abstract: A system and method that time delays a playback from a first feed at a first time to a second feed at a second time. The method includes recording the first feed that is received at the first time to be used at least partially as a playback of the second feed at the second time. The second time has a predetermined delay relative to the first time. The method includes determining whether the first feed has a discrepancy in the actual playback from a desired playback. The discrepancy is at a known time and lasting a known time amount. The method includes transmitting the playback to the second feed after the predetermined delay. A fix is aired instead of the playback for the known time amount corresponding to the discrepancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Viacom International Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg William Riedel, Jeff Hess, Scott Danahy
  • Patent number: 10547886
    Abstract: A device, system, and method synthesizes personalized linear television experiences from on-demand assets, live event video, streaming graphics, and dynamic ad insertion, where portions of the broadcast day are scheduled for globally shared viewing events, where other portions are scheduled for distinct programming for various audience segments. Vector graphics are streamed independently of the video and rasterized locally to improve quality and contextualization of the graphics layer while gaining the efficiency of leveraging the same cached video assets for linear and on-demand applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Viacom International Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg William Riedel, Glenn Goldstein
  • Patent number: 10460358
    Abstract: Described are systems and methods for dynamic integration and presentation of advertising content and media content. The method includes receiving a request for media content from a remote computing device. The method also includes providing an interactive advertising unit, which comprises a first content layer including the requested media content and a media player, a second content layer including the advertising content, wherein the advertising content comprises video content and website content, and an integration module configured to display the video content to match the boundaries of the media player, extend the display area of the video content, reduce the display area of the video content after a period of time, display the website content in an area outside of the boundaries of the media player, and display the requested media content in the media player. The method also includes transmitting the interactive advertising unit for presentation on the remote computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Viacom International Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Geer, III, Ellen To, Suzanne McDonnell, Adam Solomon, Mark Fortner, Jason Witt
  • Patent number: 10430759
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for discovering performance artists across multiple sources of relationships between the artists. A method may comprise receiving a user request for content of a primary artist from a user media device, identifying a social connection between the primary artist and a secondary artist within at least one social network, and providing to the user media device a user recommendation for content of the secondary artist based on the identified social connection between the primary and secondary artists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Viacom International Inc.
    Inventors: Vincenza Pizzo, Joel Sanders
  • Patent number: 10275805
    Abstract: Described are methods and systems for dynamic integration and presentation of advertising content and media content. A server computing device receives a request for media content from a remote computing device, and provides an interactive advertising unit. The interactive advertising unit includes a first content layer including the requested media content, a media player, and website content; a second content layer including the advertising content, wherein the advertising content comprises video content; and an integration module. The integration module is configured to display the video content to match the boundaries of the media player, extend the display area of the video content beyond the boundaries of the media player and underneath the website content of the first content layer, reduce the display area of the video content after a period of time to match the boundaries of the media player, and display the requested media content in the media player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Viacom International Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Geer, III, Ellen To, Suzanne McDonnell, Jason Witt, Joanne Levy
  • Patent number: 10257588
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for inserting breakpoints and reference links into a multimedia file. A method may comprise receiving breakpoint information from a content provider, wherein the breakpoint information is specific to a first digital media file of a plurality of digital media files, inserting a plurality of breakpoints into the first digital media file based on the breakpoint information, wherein the plurality of breakpoints designate at least one clip within the first digital media file, receiving a user share request from a user device to share the at least one clip within the first digital media file, and providing the user device with a sharable reference link to the at least one clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Viacom International Inc.
    Inventors: Vincenza Pizzo, Joel Sanders
  • Patent number: 10229423
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, systems, and computer program products for dynamic integration and presentation of advertising content and media content. A server computing device receives a request for media content from a remote computing device. The server computing devices provides, in response to the request, an interactive advertising unit comprising a first content layer including the requested media content and a media player, a second content layer including the advertising content comprising static content and interactive content, and an integration module configured to display the requested media content in the media player, and reveal the advertising content in an area extending from a boundary of a playback window of the media player, wherein revealing the advertising content includes displacing web page content to accommodate the advertising content while keeping the web page content available for viewing and interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: VIACOM INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Mark Theophilis
  • Patent number: 10181125
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for creating a social-networking community and enabling the social-networking community to interoperate with other social-networking communities within a network of social-networking communities. The method includes creating a core profile that links a user member's identify to plurality of social-networking communities of the network. The system enables user identity information, content, and friend information to be shared across social-networking communities of the network. The system also enables community content to be shared and tracked across social-networking communities of the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Viacom International Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Karelin, Evan Rifkin