Patents Examined by Cynthia M Fogg
  • Patent number: 11076202
    Abstract: Systems and methods for customizing digital content based on consumer context data are disclosed. In embodiments, a computer-implemented method, comprises: determining, by a computing device, a goodness of fit of one or more digital content segments for a digital product based on asset success metrics indicating a trend in consumer consumption of content; identifying, by the computing device, a select digital content segment from the one or more digital content segments based on the goodness of fit; and incorporating, by the computing device, the select digital content segment into the digital product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Aaron K. Baughman, Gray Cannon, Stephen C. Hammer, David Provan
  • Patent number: 11074308
    Abstract: A system for collecting data from different sources is described. In one example embodiment, the system obtains content-related data from a plurality of source computer systems, automatically identifies, based on the content-related data, content items having respective popularity values greater than a predetermined threshold value as popular content items, and automatically generates a list of popular content items based on the popular content items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: OPENTV, INC.
    Inventors: Alex Fishman, Crx K. Chai
  • Patent number: 11076185
    Abstract: Systems and associated methods are described for providing content recommendations. The system selects a first plurality of subsets of content categories, each subset of content categories comprising a first number of content categories. The subsets are assigned reward scores based on content popularity and duplication. The subset are then iteratively modified to increase the rewards scores. If the reward scores are still low, the process is repeated by selecting a second plurality of subsets of content categories, each subset of content categories comprising a second number of content categories, different from first number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle Miller
  • Patent number: 11070853
    Abstract: A portable device includes solid-state memory, an Ethernet and/or wireless network connection, and an HDMI. The portable device receives content guide data from a first server and displays a content guide on a display. In response to a user's selection of a content item, the portable device requests the content item over the Internet from a second server. The portable device receives the content item, stores the content item in solid-state memory, generates display signals that represent the content item, and sends the display signals to a display. The second server may match the content item with relevant advertisements based on keywords associated with the content item and the advertisements. The second server may send selected advertisement URLs to the portable device. Using the URLs, the portable device may obtain the advertisements over the Internet and cause the display to display the advertisements in conjunction with the content item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Barton
  • Patent number: 11039221
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving a first manifest file from a first server that includes first metadata that identifies a second server where a first portion of data associated with a content item is stored, responsive to the receiving of the first manifest file, determining that a trickplay command is received by a processing system, responsive to the determining that the trickplay command is received, generating or modifying a second manifest file to incorporate the first metadata, and obtaining the first portion of the data associated with the content item from the second server in accordance with the second manifest file. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Binny Asarikuniyil
  • Patent number: 11039222
    Abstract: A method for targeted content placement using overlays includes receiving media content from a content feed and displaying the media content from the content feed at a display of the media device. As the display of the media device displays the media content, the method also includes fingerprinting at least one frame of the media content to obtain a fingerprint and identifying an in-frame advertisement based on the obtained fingerprint. The in-frame advertisement corresponds to an advertisement within a portion of the at least one frame. The method further includes determining a target overlay location within the at least one frame with the in-frame advertisement, the target overlay location corresponding to a size of the in-frame advertisement, and superimposing overlay content at the target overlay location when the display of the media device displays the at least one frame with the in-frame advertisement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Grover
  • Patent number: 11025988
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes a computing system generating a forum for a discussion regarding a television program among a plurality of users watching the television program. The television program may be aired on a plurality of first devices. The system may provide, on a plurality of second devices of the users watching the television program, a user interface comprising the forum and one or more affinity indicators for expressing user emotions relating to the television program. The system may receive, from a second device of a user, user input indicating a comment or a user emotion relating to the television program through the one or more affinity indicators. The system may distribute in real-time the comment or the user emotion relating to the television program received from the second device of the user across other second devices of the users watching the television program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Michael Hattery, Kathryn Allen, Jeremy Smallwood
  • Patent number: 11019407
    Abstract: A content processing system obtains an identification associated with a device configured to receive content, generates a digital watermark reflecting the receiving device's identification, provides watermarked content by including the digital watermark in the content, and transmits the watermarked content from an edge computing device to the receiving device for the playback. The digital watermark is not visually observable during playback of the watermarked content, and it enables tracking of transmission of the watermarked content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: SYNAMEDIA LIMITED
    Inventors: Dan Revital, Doron Nissimi, Steve Epstein
  • Patent number: 11006170
    Abstract: A set-top box with interactive features and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, the set-top box receives various types of set-top box data such as information about display-based interactions with the set-top box, information about a plurality of amenities on a residential property co-located with the set-top box, and information from a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device interacting with the set-top box. The set-top box may render a map view of the property based on obtained map data. The map view may include an interactive graphical representation of the residential property and be annotated with at least a portion of the set-top box data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Enseo, LLC
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Patent number: 10992992
    Abstract: The systems and methods are described herein for playback of content based on progress point information. The systems and methods detect nearby media devices to transmit or request progress point information. Based on the communicated progress point information, the system may generate an option to play back content at a point within the content up to which content was last consumed. When content providers offer different versions of one content item and the user does not select to play back content from the content provider associated with the progress point information, the system determines a proper playback point in other content providers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: ROVl GUIDES, INC.
    Inventor: David Wittke
  • Patent number: 10979752
    Abstract: Method for generating media content items based on location information starts with the server system receiving from a first computing device an electronic communication including location information from a location sensor coupled to the first client computing device. Server system then determines a current activity of a first user of the first client computing device based on the location information; generating a media content item including a map display based on the location information and at least one of: (i) an avatar of the first user engaged in the current activity, (ii) a status message associated with the current activity of the first user, or (iii) a status message associated with a map location on the map display. Server system then causes the media content item to be displayed on a display screen of at least one of a plurality of client computing devices. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Brody, Joseph Engelman, Robert Lin, Gaurav Misra, Kimberly A. Phifer, Sriram Raman, Jay Sani
  • Patent number: 10945026
    Abstract: A display device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a display unit; a storage unit for storing a reproduction list including a first content provided by a first content provider and a second content provided by a second content provider; and a controller for displaying the reproduction list through the display unit, reproducing the first content included in the displayed reproduction list through an application associated with the first content provider, sensing whether the reproduction of the first content has been completed, and reproducing the second content through an application associated with the second content provider on the basis of a sensing result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seunghyun Heo, Jaekyung Lee, Jeean Chang
  • Patent number: 10939172
    Abstract: Systems and methods for addressing a corrupted segment in a media asset. The media guidance application determines that a segment of a media asset is corrupted. The media guidance application determines whether a retrieval period to retrieve an uncorrupted copy of the segment exceeds a threshold period. If the retrieval period does not exceed the threshold period, the media guidance application retrieves and generates for display the uncorrupted copy of the segment. If the retrieval period exceeds the threshold period, the media guidance application determines whether an importance level of the corrupted segment exceeds a threshold level. If the importance level exceeds the threshold level, the media guidance application generates for display a summary for the corrupted segment. If the importance level does not exceed the threshold level, the media guidance application generates for display the subsequent segment and the summary for the corrupted segment in an overlay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Vishwas Sharadanagar Panchaksharaiah, Vikram Makam Gupta
  • Patent number: 10939155
    Abstract: A content service provider can transmit a plurality of content streams each including audio, video, or audio-video content to a plurality of premises. In addition, the content service provider can transmit one or more command streams, along with the plurality of content streams over a common content distribution network. The one or more command streams may each include a repeating set of premises automation commands. The premises automation commands may be sent to one or more appropriate systems if a user selects a channel associated with the corresponding command stream. Each set of premises automation commands may be configured to instruct a system at a premises to perform a function. The commands may, for example, instruct a lighting system to turn on/off lights, a security system to enter an arm or disarm operational state, a thermostat to adjust its temperature, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Sallas
  • Patent number: 10932004
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards recommending and providing content to a user group for the social consumption of recommended content. Embodiments include generating an individual recommendation for the users based on user preferences of the plurality of users. A group recommendation is generated based on a combination of the individual recommendations. The group recommendation is provided to each of the plurality of users. The group may collaborate over the group recommendation. During collaboration, the group may generate a dialog that includes a discussion based on the group recommendation. Keyword and sentiment pairs, included in the dialog, are determined. The group recommendation is updated based on the keywords and sentiments. The updated group recommendation is provided to the users. In response to detecting a group consensus while monitoring the group collaboration, content associated with the group consensus is provided to the users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: ADOBE INC.
    Inventors: Sumit Shekhar, Nishant Yadav, Anindya Shankar Bhandari, Aditya Siddhant
  • Patent number: 10931390
    Abstract: In one aspect, an example method to be performed by a vehicle-based media system includes (a) receiving audio content; (b) causing one or more speakers to output the received audio content; (c) using a microphone of the vehicle-based media system to capture the output audio content; (d) identifying reference audio content that has at least a threshold extent of similarity with the captured audio content; (e) identifying visual content based at least on the identified reference audio content; and (f) outputting, via a user interface of the vehicle-based media system, the identified visual content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: GRACENOTE, INC.
    Inventor: Nisarg A. Modi
  • Patent number: 10911829
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for vehicle video recommendation via affect. A first media presentation is played to a vehicle occupant. The playing is accomplished using a video client. Cognitive state data for the vehicle occupant is captured, where the cognitive state data includes video facial data from the vehicle occupant during the first media presentation playing. The first media presentation is ranked, on an analysis server, relative to another media presentation based on the cognitive state data which was captured for the vehicle occupant. The ranking is determined for the vehicle occupant. The cognitive state data which was captured for the vehicle occupant is correlated, on the analysis server, to cognitive state data collected from other people who experienced the first media presentation. One or more further media presentation selections are recommended to the vehicle occupant, based on the ranking and the correlating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Affectiva, Inc.
    Inventors: Rana el Kaliouby, Abdelrahman N. Mahmoud, Panu James Turcot
  • Patent number: 10911803
    Abstract: A content curation system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing a content promotion software code providing a user interface. The hardware processor executes the content promotion software code to receive an initiation signal corresponding to a user action, and, in response to receiving the initiation signal, to identify multiple content items as desirable content items to the user. In addition, the content promotion software code determines a portion of the desirable content item as most desirable content to the user, and, for each most desirable content portion, obtains a content clip including that content, resulting in multiple content clips corresponding respectively to the multiple content items. The content promotion software code further outputs the content clips for playout to the user via the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David Horn, Michael McNabb, Jason G. Fong
  • Patent number: 10911824
    Abstract: Example apparatus disclosed herein include a signature collector to collect a first signature for media being presented to a plurality of households, a media creditor to credit the media when the first signature matches a reference signature in a reference signature database. The example apparatus also includes a signature thresholder to, when the first signature does not match the reference signature in the reference signature database, determine if the first signature matches an unknown signature in an unknown signature database; increase a count associated with the unknown signature when the first signature matches the unknown signature; and determine when a second signature matches the first signature, the second signature including metadata identifying the media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Sandeep Tapse, Albert T. Borawski, Daniel Nelson
  • Patent number: 10893314
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a subscription to a plurality of content providers and the irretrievably referring users to an interface of the content provider to directly consume media programs provided by the content providers is disclosed. The method irretrievably passes users to content providers so that the user can view media programs from those content providers using the content provider's application, while providing a central source for users to locate media programs available from a plurality of content providers and to subscribe for access to such media programs. This construct permits content providers to retain control over the user viewing experience and to encourage the user to view further media programs from the same content provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: FOX MEDIA LLC
    Inventors: David Bradley Wertheimer, Michael Alan Gooch, Steven Arthur Thorpe, Bryan Jose Gonzalez, Alexander Moore St. Laurent