Patents by Inventor Christopher Goode
Christopher Goode has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20040083492Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing subscription-on-demand (SOD) services for a interactive information distribution system, where a consumer may subscribe to packages of on-demand programs for a single price and view the programs in the subscribed package at any time for no additional cost. The apparatus and method are embodied in a combination of software, which provides a so called navigator, and hardware, including a subscriber terminal that provides certain functionality for the navigator and service provider equipment that supports the functionality of the terminal. As such, graphical user interface functionality is distributed between the service provider equipment and subscriber equipment (subscriber terminal). Such distribution provides an enjoyable, real time interactive process for accessing SOD services that allows the subscriber to rapidly identify and access a subscription service.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2003Publication date: April 29, 2004Inventors: Christopher Goode, Donald F. Gordon, Tobie LaRocca, Phillip A. Thomas
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Patent number: 6718552Abstract: An information delivery system provides programming, such as video programming, by dynamically allocating the programming to channel slots, based on the availability of the channel slots. Programming with high viewership statistics is transmitted substantially continuously and programming with lower viewership statistics is transmitted “on-demand” in response to requests by users by way of a subscriber station. The subscriber stations maintain a map, provided by a corresponding session control manager, of currently available and currently transmitted channels. The information delivery system, in a preferred embodiment, takes the form of a Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC) system.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1999Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: DIVA Systems CorporationInventor: Christopher Goode
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Patent number: 6684400Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing subscription-on-demand (SOD) services for a interactive information distribution system, where a consumer may subscribe to packages of on-demand programs for a single price and view the programs in the subscribed package at any time for no additional cost. The apparatus and method are embodied in a combination of software, which provides a so called navigator, and hardware, including a subscriber terminal that provides certain functionality for the navigator and service provider equipment that supports the functionality of the terminal. As such, graphical user interface functionality is distributed between the service provider equipment and subscriber equipment (subscriber terminal). Such distribution provides an enjoyable, real time interactive process for accessing SOD services that allows the subscriber to rapidly identify and access a subscription service.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1999Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: DIVA Systems CorporationInventors: Christopher Goode, Donald F. Gordon, Tobie LaRocca, Phillip A. Thomas
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Patent number: 6681326Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect, a remote server receives video programming in a first encrypted form and stores the video programming. After the remote server receives a request from a subscriber station for transmission of the video programming, the remote server decrypts the video programming, re-encrypts the video programming into a second encrypted form, and then transmits the video programming to the subscriber station. In accordance with a second aspect, a remote server receives video programming in a first encrypted form, decrypts the video programming, re-encrypts the video programming into a second encrypted form, and then stores the video programming. After the remote server receives a request from a subscriber station, the remote server simply transmits the video programming. In accordance with a third aspect, a remote server receives video programming in a first encrypted form and stores the video programming.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: DIVA Systems CorporationInventors: Yong Ho Son, Christopher Goode
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Publication number: 20030163824Abstract: A demand television system comprising a broadcast encoder and a storage encoder. The broadcast encoder encodes a real-time video frame sequence to form a broadcast bitstream and broadcasts the broadcast bitstream to a plurality of subscriber equipment, while simultaneously the storage encoder encodes the real-time video frame sequence to form a storage bitstream that is stored in an information server. The subscriber equipment decodes the broadcast bitstream to display the broadcast program. At any time, the subscriber equipment may request to review the information previously displayed in the broadcast bitstream. As such, the storage bitstream is transmitted to the subscriber equipment. The storage bitstream facilitates standard play of the previously broadcast information as well as trick play such as fast forward and fast reverse functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 1998Publication date: August 28, 2003Inventors: DONALD F. GORDON, CHRISTOPHER GOODE, EDWARD A. LUDVIG
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Patent number: 6598229Abstract: An interactive information distribution system according to the present invention includes a session control manager having a defective channel detection module, a channel re-allocation module, and a replacement-signaling module. The session control manager is coupled to receive signals from the plurality of set top boxes, and coupled to control the digital video modulators and the assignment of communication channels to nodes. The defective channel detection module receives signals from the plurality of set top boxes, and based on the error rate and other factors determines if any of the communication channels used by the digital video modulators are defective. Upon determining that a particular communication channel is defective, the defective channel detection module signals the channel re-allocation module.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1998Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Diva Systems Corp.Inventors: Aidan J. Smyth, Christopher Goode
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Patent number: 6415031Abstract: Selective encryption is provided in a process which includes: determining whether a predetermined criterion is satisfied; setting a selective encryption status field if the predetermined criterion is satisfied; and encrypting an unencrypted payload to generate an encrypted payload, and constructing a packet with the encrypted payload, if the predetermined criterion is satisfied. The predetermined criterion may be one of several criteria, each of which reduce the required amount of encryption and decryption while maintaining a high level of security.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2000Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Assignee: Diva Systems CorporationInventors: Michael R. Colligan, Yong Ho Son, Christopher Goode
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Publication number: 20020007492Abstract: An interactive information distribution system according to the present invention includes a session control manager having a defective channel detection module, a channel re-allocation module, and a replacement-signaling module. The session control manager is coupled to receive signals from the plurality of set top boxes, and coupled to control the digital video modulators and the assignment of communication channels to nodes. The defective channel detection module receives signals from the plurality of set top boxes, and based on the error rate and other factors determines if any of the communication channels used by the digital video modulators are defective. Upon determining that a particular communication channel is defective, the defective channel detection module signals the channel re-allocation module.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 1998Publication date: January 17, 2002Inventors: AIDAN J. SMYTH, CHRISTOPHER GOODE
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Patent number: 6305019Abstract: An interactive information distribution system includes service provider equipment for generating an information stream that is coupled to an information channel and transmitted to subscriber equipment. The service provider also generates a command signal that is coupled to a command channel and transmitted to the subscriber equipment. The service provider also receives information manipulation requests from the subscriber via a back channel. A communication network supporting the information channel, command channel and back channel is coupled between the service provider equipment and the subscriber equipment. The service provider equipment contains two geographically distributed components: central server equipment and a remote video session manager. The central server equipment provides information streams to the remote video session manager in response to information manipulation commands.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1998Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: DIVA Systems CorporationInventors: Bradley L. Dyer, Dwight Wesley Fronsdahl, Michael S. Gill, Christopher Goode, John Mark Randall, Steve Zack
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Publication number: 20010019336Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an interactive menu structure within an interactive information distribution system. The menu structure is embodied in a combination of software, which provides a so-called navigator and a set top terminal that provides certain functionality for the navigator and a video session manager which provides support functionality for the set top terminal. The menu structure has each menu (e.g., menu instructions, graphics and video) contained in downloadable applets which are sent upon request from the service provider equipment to the set top terminal for display. As such, the navigator functions are actually distributed between the service provider equipment and the subscriber's equipment. Such distribution provides an enjoyable, real-time interactive session that allows the user to rapidly navigate through a plethora of menus to find particular information, which they desire to view.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2001Publication date: September 6, 2001Applicant: DIVA Systems Corp.Inventors: Donald Gordon, Christopher Goode, Philip A. Thomas, Mark D. Conover, Brooks Cole
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Publication number: 20010017920Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect, a remote server receives video programming in a first encrypted form and stores the video programming. After the remote server receives a request from a subscriber station for transmission of the video programming, the remote server decrypts the video programming, re-encrypts the video programming into a second encrypted form, and then transmits the video programming to the subscriber station. In accordance with a second aspect, a remote server receives video programming in a first encrypted form, decrypts the video programming, re-encrypts the video programming into a second encrypted form, and then stores the video programming. After the remote server receives a request from a subscriber station, the remote server simply transmits the video programming. In accordance with a third aspect, a remote server receives video programming in a first encrypted form and stores the video programming.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2001Publication date: August 30, 2001Inventors: Yong Ho Son, Christopher Goode
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Patent number: 6253375Abstract: An interactive information distribution system includes service provider equipment for generating an information stream that is coupled to an information channel and transmitted to subscriber equipment. The service provider also generates a command signal that is coupled to a command channel and transmitted to the subscriber equipment. The service provider also receives information manipulation requests from the subscriber via a back channel. A communication network supporting the information channel, command channel and back channel is coupled between the service provider equipment and the subscriber equipment.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1997Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: DIVA Systems CorporationInventors: Donald Gordon, Christopher Goode, Jack Van der Star, Stanley Knight, Danny Chin
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Publication number: 20010004767Abstract: An interactive information distribution system includes service provider equipment for generating an information stream that is coupled to an information channel and transmitted to subscriber equipment. The service provider also generates a command signal that is coupled to a command channel and transmitted to the subscriber equipment. The service provider also receives information manipulation requests from the subscriber via a back channel. A communication network supporting the information channel, command channel and back channel is coupled between the service provider equipment and the subscriber equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2000Publication date: June 21, 2001Applicant: DIVA Systems CorporationInventors: Donald Gordon, Christopher Goode, Jack Van der Star, Stanley Knight, Danny Chin
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Patent number: 6229895Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect, a remote server receives video programming in a first encrypted form and stores the video programming. After the remote server receives a request from a subscriber station for transmission of the video programming, the remote server decrypts the video programming, re-encrypts the video programming into a second encrypted form, and then transmits the video programming to the subscriber station. In accordance with a second aspect, a remote server receives video programming in a first encrypted form, decrypts the video programming, re-encrypts the video programming into a second encrypted form, and then stores the video programming. After the remote server receives a request from a subscriber station, the remote server simply transmits the video programming. In accordance with a third aspect, a remote server receives video programming in a first encrypted form and stores the video programming.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1999Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: DIVA Systems Corp.Inventors: Yong Ho Son, Christopher Goode
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Patent number: 6208335Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an interactive menu structure within an interactive information distribution system. The menu structure is embodied in a combination of software, which provides a so-called navigator and a set top terminal that provides certain functionality for the navigator and a video session manager which provides support functionality for the set top terminal. The menu structure has each menu (e.g., menu instructions, graphics and video) contained in downloadable applets which are sent upon request from the service provider equipment to the set top terminal for display. As such, the navigator functions are actually distributed between the service provider equipment and the subscriber's equipment. Such distribution provides an enjoyable, real-time interactive session that allows the user to rapidly navigate through a plethora of menus to find particular information which they desire to view.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1997Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Diva Systems CorporationInventors: Donald Gordon, Christopher Goode, Philip A. Thomas, Mark D. Conover, Brooks Cole
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Patent number: 6163272Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing the personal identification numbers of customers as well as customer authorization access to an interactive information distribution system. The apparatus comprises an interactive session manager containing a central processing unit that is programmed to implement the method includes. The method of the present invention is a personal identification number (PIN) assignment routine for assigning various types of PINs to various customers of the information distribution system. The method also includes an access authorization routine for restricting access to only those customers with authorized access to particular services.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1996Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: DIVA Systems CorporationInventors: Christopher Goode, F. Ray McDevitt, Philip A. Thomas
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Patent number: 5966162Abstract: A method and apparatus for masking the effects of latency within an information distribution system. The apparatus comprises a set top terminal that requests and receives information from an information server within the information distribution system. The information is generally displayed upon a conventional television that is coupled to the set top terminal. The set top terminal contains a central processing unit and an information stream decoder that are programmed to implement the method. The method is a routine which is executed when a subscriber selects certain functions, usually via a remote control, that are available for the set top terminal to perform. Upon execution, the method recalls a predefined image from memory and begins to fade the presently displayed image into a predefined image, e.g., a white screen. Simultaneously, the presently playing sound is also faded into the predefined sound, e.g., no sound.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1998Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: DIVA Systems CorporationInventors: Christopher Goode, Donald Gordon, Mark D. Conover, Daniel Illowsky, Philip A. Thomas, Brooks Cole
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Patent number: 5781227Abstract: A method and apparatus for masking the effects of latency within an information distribution system. The apparatus comprises a set top terminal that requests and receives information from an information server within the information distribution system. The information is generally displayed upon a conventional television that is coupled to the set top terminal. The set top terminal contains a central processing unit and an information stream decoder that are programmed to implement the method. The method is a routine which is executed when a subscriber selects certain functions, usually via a remote control, that are available for the set top terminal to perform. Upon execution, the method recalls a predefined image from memory and begins to fade the presently displayed image into a predefined image, e.g., a white screen. Simultaneously, the presently playing sound is also faded into the predefined sound, e.g., no sound.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1996Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Assignee: DIVA Systems CorporationInventors: Christopher Goode, Donald Gordon, Mark D. Conover, Daniel Illowsky, Philip A. Thomas, Brooks Cole