Patents by Inventor Craig ENGEL

Craig ENGEL 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).

  • Patent number: 11900419
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting and correlating content consumption, e.g., viewing of programs and/or accessing websites, across platforms of different types are described. Content consumption, e.g., requests and/or streaming is monitored and recorded on a per subscriber basis for a wide variety of platforms, e.g., set boxes, IP content playback devices such as cell phones or pad devices with IP streaming support, and/or other devices. Web site access and corresponding content consumption is determined based on DNS requests thereby avoiding the need for monitoring at web site servers and allowing centralized monitoring of web site access operations in the form of DNS requests to be detected by a Web service provider who, at least in some embodiments, is also a content provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC
    Inventors: Chris Roosenraad, Ethan Lawrence Wolf, Craig Engel, Justin Tidwell
  • Patent number: 11336551
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identification and characterization of latency in a content delivery network. In one embodiment, interaction of users with content is recorded via collection of tuning records; the latency is then utilized to adjust the timing on the tuning records to account for lapses in time for sending these between entities of the network and the user devices, and for processing occurring at the devices. The latency is determined by taking into account a device specific latency component, and a network latency component. The network latency component is determined in one variant by sending a message to the device from the network requesting a response. Once the timing of the tuning records is adjusted, these tuning records may be relied upon as being accurate on a second-by-second basis. Accordingly, tuning records may be obtained and analyzed for content which lasts for a very short period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Justin Tidwell, Eduardo G. Samame, Craig Engel
  • Patent number: 11271909
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ensuring the privacy of users and/or devices in a content delivery network from which data regarding the users' interaction with content is collected and distributed. In one embodiment, “tuning” records which describe the interaction of users with content or other activities of interest are collected. It is determined whether an opportunity for compromise of the user's privacy (e.g., by derivative association) is present. If it is determined that such an opportunity exists, at least portions of the data are modified (e.g., collapsed). The modification may comprise replacing a first explicit data value with a second descriptive data value, increasing a range for the value, generalizing the value, removing the value, or encoding the value. Further processing of the collected tuning records may include, validating the data, accounting for latency, and generating reports based thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Justin Tidwell, Eduardo Samame, Craig Engel, Craig Goldberg
  • Publication number: 20210014143
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identification and characterization of latency in a content delivery network. In one embodiment, interaction of users with content is recorded via collection of tuning records; the latency is then utilized to adjust the timing on the tuning records to account for lapses in time for sending these between entities of the network and the user devices, and for processing occurring at the devices. The latency is determined by taking into account a device specific latency component, and a network latency component. The network latency component is determined in one variant by sending a message to the device from the network requesting a response. Once the timing of the tuning records is adjusted, these tuning records may be relied upon as being accurate on a second-by-second basis. Accordingly, tuning records may be obtained and analyzed for content which lasts for a very short period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Justin Tidwell, Eduardo G. Samame, Craig Engel
  • Publication number: 20200402113
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting and correlating content consumption, e.g., viewing of programs and/or accessing websites, across platforms of different types are described. Content consumption, e.g., requests and/or streaming is monitored and recorded on a per subscriber basis for a wide variety of platforms, e.g., set boxes, IP content playback devices such as cell phones or pad devices with IP streaming support, and/or other devices. Web site access and corresponding content consumption is determined based on DNS requests thereby avoiding the need for monitoring at web site servers and allowing centralized monitoring of web site access operations in the form of DNS requests to be detected by a Web service provider who, at least in some embodiments, is also a content provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Chris Roosenraad, Ethan Lawrence Wolf, Craig Engel, Justin Tidwell
  • Patent number: 10769671
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting and correlating content consumption, e.g., viewing of programs and/or accessing websites, across platforms of different types are described. Content consumption, e.g., requests and/or streaming is monitored and recorded on a per subscriber basis for a wide variety of platforms, e.g., set boxes, IP content playback devices such as cell phones or pad devices with IP streaming support, and/or other devices. Web site access and corresponding content consumption is determined based on DNS requests thereby avoiding the need for monitoring at web site servers and allowing centralized monitoring of web site access operations in the form of DNS requests to be detected by a Web service provider who, at least in some embodiments, is also a content provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Chris Roosenraad, Ethan Lawrence Wolf, Craig Engel, Justin Tidwell
  • Patent number: 10728129
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identification and characterization of latency in a content delivery network. In one embodiment, interaction of users with content is recorded via the collection of a plurality of tuning records; the latency is then utilize to adjust the timing on the tuning records to account for lapses in time for sending these from between entities of the network and the user devices, and for processing occurring at the devices as required. The latency is determined by taking into account an experimentally or manufacturer-derived device specific latency component, and a network latency component. The network latency component is determined in one variant by sending a message to the device from the network requesting a current system time (or other response). Once the timing of the tuning records is adjusted, these tuning records may be relied upon as being accurate representations of subscriber interaction with content on a second-by-second basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC
    Inventors: Justin Tidwell, Eduardo Samame, Craig Engel
  • Publication number: 20190182218
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ensuring the privacy of users and/or devices in a content delivery network from which data regarding the users' interaction with content is collected and distributed. In one embodiment, “tuning” records which describe the interaction of users with content or other activities of interest are collected. It is determined whether an opportunity for compromise of the user's privacy (e.g., by derivative association) is present. If it is determined that such an opportunity exists, at least portions of the data are modified (e.g., collapsed). The modification may comprise replacing a first explicit data value with a second descriptive data value, increasing a range for the value, generalizing the value, removing the value, or encoding the value. Further processing of the collected tuning records may include, validating the data, accounting for latency, and generating reports based thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Justin Tidwell, Eduardo Samame, Craig Engel, Craig Goldberg
  • Patent number: 10148623
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ensuring the privacy of users and/or devices in a content delivery network from which data regarding the users' interaction with content is collected and distributed. In one embodiment, “tuning” records which describe the interaction of users with content or other activities of interest are collected. It is determined whether an opportunity for compromise of the user's privacy (e.g., by derivative association) is present. If it is determined that such an opportunity exists, at least portions of the data are modified (e.g., collapsed). The modification may comprise replacing a first explicit data value with a second descriptive data value, increasing a range for the value, generalizing the value, removing the value, or encoding the value. Further processing of the collected tuning records may include, validating the data, accounting for latency, and generating reports based thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Justin Tidwell, Eduardo Samame, Craig Engel, Craig Goldberg
  • Patent number: 9693103
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for collection and processing of data relating to users of a content-delivery network. In one embodiment, the content delivery network is a cable or satellite or HFCu network, and the apparatus includes an architecture for routinely harvesting, parsing, processing, and storing data relating to the activities of the users (e.g., subscribers) of the network. In one variant, at least portions of the data are anonymized to protect subscriber privacy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC
    Inventors: Gary Cronk, Craig Engel, Justin Tidwell, Luis Roberto Anaya, Ramon Herrera, Cory Kin, Dipan Patel, Johnathan Saginaw, Sohil Sami
  • Publication number: 20160104203
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting and correlating content consumption, e.g., viewing of programs and/or accessing websites, across platforms of different types are described. Content consumption, e.g., requests and/or streaming is monitored and recorded on a per subscriber basis for a wide variety of platforms, e.g., set boxes, IP content playback devices such as cell phones or pad devices with IP streaming support, and/or other devices. Web site access and corresponding content consumption is determined based on DNS requests thereby avoiding the need for monitoring at web site servers and allowing centralized monitoring of web site access operations in the form of DNS requests to be detected by a Web service provider who, at least in some embodiments, is also a content provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Chris Roosenraad, Ethan Lawrence Wolf, Craig Engel, Justin Tidwell
  • Patent number: 9103022
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an amorphous aluminum alloy coating. The aluminum alloy coating may specifically include one of cerium, cobalt and/or molybdenum as alloying elements and be applied by a physical vapor deposition process to a desired thickness. The coating may supply improved corrosion resistance to a given environmental condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ronghua Wei, Marta Jakab, Craig Engel
  • Publication number: 20150188794
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identification and characterization of latency in a content delivery network. In one embodiment, interaction of users with content is recorded via the collection of a plurality of tuning records; the latency is then utilize to adjust the timing on the tuning records to account for lapses in time for sending these from between entities of the network and the user devices, and for processing occurring at the devices as required. The latency is determined by taking into account an experimentally or manufacturer-derived device specific latency component, and a network latency component. The network latency component is determined in one variant by sending a message to the device from the network requesting a current system time (or other response). Once the timing of the tuning records is adjusted, these tuning records may be relied upon as being accurate representations of subscriber interaction with content on a second-by-second basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Justin Tidwell, Eduardo Samame, Craig Engel
  • Patent number: 9003436
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for collection, validation, analysis, and automated error correction of data regarding user interaction with content. In one embodiment, statistical methods are used to arrive at expected values for the collected data. The data is compared to the expected value and must meet one or more acceptance criteria (e.g., be within a prescribed range) to be considered valid. The prescribed range is determined by the network operator, or a computer program adapted to generate this value. The invention enables a network operator to assess a large volume of data without requiring significant amounts of manual monitoring and/or error correction. The ability to collect, validate and analyze data across multiple platforms is also provided. Still further, an automated system capable of learning evaluation and error correction patterns is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Justin Tidwell, Eduardo Samame, Craig Engel
  • Patent number: 8930979
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identification and characterization of latency in a content delivery network. In one embodiment, interaction of users with content is recorded via the collection of a plurality of tuning records; the latency is then utilize to adjust the timing on the tuning records to account for lapses in time for sending these from between entities of the network and the user devices, and for processing occurring at the devices as required. The latency is determined by taking into account an experimentally or manufacturer-derived device specific latency component, and a network latency component. The network latency component is determined in one variant by sending a message to the device from the network requesting a current system time (or other response). Once the timing of the tuning records is adjusted, these tuning records may be relied upon as being accurate representations of subscriber interaction with content on a second-by-second basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Justin Tidwell, Eduardo Samame, Craig Engel
  • Publication number: 20140366051
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for collection and processing of data relating to users of a content-delivery network. In one embodiment, the content delivery network is a cable or satellite or HFCu network, and the apparatus includes an architecture for routinely harvesting, parsing, processing, and storing data relating to the activities of the users (e.g., subscribers) of the network. In one variant, at least portions of the data are anonymized to protect subscriber privacy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Gary Cronk, Craig Engel, Justin Tidwell, Luis Roberto Anaya, Ramon Herrera, Cory Kin, Dipan Patel, Johnathan Saginaw, Sohil Sami
  • Publication number: 20140359649
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for collection and processing of data relating to users of a content-delivery network. In one embodiment, the content delivery network is a cable or satellite or HFCu network, and the apparatus includes an architecture for routinely harvesting, parsing, processing, and storing data relating to the activities of the users (e.g., subscribers) of the network. In one variant, at least portions of the data are anonymized to protect subscriber privacy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Gary Cronk, Craig Engel, Justin Tidwell, Luis Roberto Anaya, Ramon Herrera, Cory Kin, Dipan Patel, Johnathan Saginaw, Sohil Sami
  • Publication number: 20130298149
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for collection, validation, analysis, and automated error correction of data regarding user interaction with content. In one embodiment, statistical methods are used to arrive at expected values for the collected data. The data is compared to the expected value and must meet one or more acceptance criteria (e.g., be within a prescribed range) to be considered valid. The prescribed range is determined by the network operator, or a computer program adapted to generate this value. The invention enables a network operator to assess a large volume of data without requiring significant amounts of manual monitoring and/or error correction. The ability to collect, validate and analyze data across multiple platforms is also provided. Still further, an automated system capable of learning evaluation and error correction patterns is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Justin Tidwell, Eduardo Samame, Craig Engel
  • Patent number: 8484511
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for collection, validation, analysis, and automated error correction of data regarding user interaction with content. In one embodiment, statistical methods are used to arrive at expected values for the collected data. The data is compared to the expected value and must meet one or more acceptance criteria (e.g., be within a prescribed range) to be considered valid. The prescribed range is determined by the network operator, or a computer program adapted to generate this value. The invention enables a network operator to assess a large volume of data without requiring significant amounts of manual monitoring and/or error correction. The ability to collect, validate and analyze data across multiple platforms is also provided. Still further, an automated system capable of learning evaluation and error correction patterns is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Justin Tidwell, Eduardo Samame, Craig Engel
  • Publication number: 20120124606
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identification and characterization of latency in a content delivery network. In one embodiment, interaction of users with content is recorded via the collection of a plurality of tuning records; the latency is then utilize to adjust the timing on the tuning records to account for lapses in time for sending these from between entities of the network and the user devices, and for processing occurring at the devices as required. The latency is determined by taking into account an experimentally or manufacturer-derived device specific latency component, and a network latency component. The network latency component is determined in one variant by sending a message to the device from the network requesting a current system time (or other response). Once the timing of the tuning records is adjusted, these tuning records may be relied upon as being accurate representations of subscriber interaction with content on a second-by-second basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Justin Tidwell, Eduardo Samame, Craig Engel