Patents by Inventor Glen Hardin
Glen Hardin 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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Patent number: 9185341Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distributing content using a spectrum generation device. In one embodiment, digital content is received via a time-multiplexed network transport (such as Gigabit Ethernet), and converted to frequency channels suitable for transmission over a content distribution (e.g., Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC)) network. In one variant, the conversion is performed using digital domain processing performed by a full spectrum generation device. Additionally, methods and apparatus for selectively adding, removing, and/or changing digital content from the full spectrum device are also disclosed. Various aspects of the present invention enable physical (infrastructure) consolidation, and software-implemented remote management of content distribution.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2010Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLCInventor: Glen Hardin
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Publication number: 20150172731Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing alternate content in a network, such as in the instance where content is restricted. In one embodiment, a server within the network assigns a location identifier to a plurality of client devices and associates the identifier to a location value. The location value is used to register a certain set of the client devices to a given service area. The server in one variant creates one or more lists associating the client devices to location values, and location values to primary and alternate content. The information is published and accessible to other network components. The server receives a request for content from the client device and either references the list or communicates with another server to determine appropriate content to send. Based on the determination, the server transmits the appropriate content to the requesting device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Charles Hasek, Norrie Bush, Wilfred Jaime Miles, Glen Hardin, Scott Davis, Todd Bowen
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Publication number: 20150163523Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting content delivery service are described. In accordance with the invention content can be supplied to temporary storage of a regional or local server used to supply the content to a customer's premises when the requested content is not already available in the regional or local server. A content server hierarchy may be implemented with servers higher up in the hierarchy including more content, e.g., titles, than the number of titles stored in the lower level servers. By storing less frequently accessed content in servers higher in the hierarchy and frequently requested titles lower in the hierarchy, a vast number of titles can be supported without overburdening the storage available at local and regional servers.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2014Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: Robert Benya, James Kasanin, Glen Hardin
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Publication number: 20150150053Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving channel browsing experience for users by presenting an automatically appearing and automatically scrolling program guide are described. The methods and apparatus are well suited for use with remote control devices with limited numbers of input buttons, e.g., under five buttons, but can be used with remote controls with more buttons. The program guide can be used to allow access to a grid guide to users of hospital remotes or other remotes with limited input keys, e.g., an up down arrow and/or a power button. The method in some embodiments uses time spent on a channel in combination with user selection of an input key to determine an action to be taken, e.g., enter or display the program grid guide and/or select a channel and/or corresponding program being displayed in the grid guide.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCInventors: Glen Hardin, Niem Dang, Greg Von Der Ahe, Peter Agnvall
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Patent number: 8997136Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing packetized content to users via a bandwidth-optimized network. In one embodiment, legacy and IPTV streams are carried over the same switched digital infrastructure, and freely intermixed without regard to their encoding or type. A user's selection for IPTV content is transmitted to an IP proxy (such as a gateway apparatus or a headend server), then on to the switched digital server which causes provision of the requested content back to the proxy for formatting. The formatted content is then delivered to the requesting IP-capable device. The entire carrier class program stream is therefore available as IP-encapsulated content to the IP capable devices (and as legacy content to legacy devices) without any significant modifications to the network infrastructure or bandwidth penalty.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCInventors: Paul D. Brooks, Glen Hardin, Tom Gonder
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Publication number: 20150046960Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assigning bandwidth to a network based on two or more different service levels. In an exemplary embodiment, video on-demand (VOD) session requests within a service group of an HFC cable network are assigned bandwidth such that maximum opportunity is given to grant HD VOD request among SD VOD requests, while meeting the goal of minimizing service disruption by spreading the sessions over multiple QAM channels, and limiting the maximum number of active VOD sessions of any kind.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2014Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventor: Glen Hardin
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Patent number: 8938765Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting content delivery service are described. In accordance with the invention content can be supplied to temporary storage of a regional or local server used to supply the content to a customer's premises when the requested content is not already available in the regional or local server. A content server hierarchy may be implemented with servers higher up in the hierarchy including more content, e.g., titles, than the number of titles stored in the lower level servers. By storing less frequently accessed content in servers higher in the hierarchy and frequently requested titles lower in the hierarchy, a vast number of titles can be supported without overburdening the storage available at local and regional servers. In addition, a national or other server high in the hierarchy can be used to store, move, and distribute local or other content as part of an on demand service.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2006Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCInventors: Robert Benya, James Kasanin, Glen Hardin
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Patent number: 8863172Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering emergency alert system message content to customer premise devices without requiring them to tune to an emergency message channel and having to encode information into frames of regular program content being delivered to customer premise devices, e.g., set top boxes, are described. An emergency management server receives emergency alert messages from a federal government system and generates emergency alert control messages which are sent to one or more switching devices located at one or more regional hubsites/headends to which the emergency alert message applies. The emergency alert control message instructs the switching device to output an emergency alert content stream in place of a standard program. The switching device outputs the emergency content message stream in place of the standard program content to, e.g., a QAM modulator, which modulates the content stream on the frequency being used to deliver the standard program content being replaced.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCInventors: Glen Hardin, Greg Von Der Ahe, Nubia Castillo, Scott M. Davis
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Patent number: 8843978Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assigning bandwidth to a network based on two or more different service levels. In an exemplary embodiment, video on-demand (VOD) session requests within a service group of an HFC cable network are assigned bandwidth such that maximum opportunity is given to grant HD VOD request among SD VOD requests, while meeting the goal of minimizing service disruption by spreading the sessions over multiple QAM channels, and limiting the maximum number of active VOD sessions of any kind.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2004Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCInventor: Glen Hardin
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Publication number: 20140267934Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for pairing information appliance devices, such as set-top boxes and/or set-back boxes (the “set-top/back boxes”), to wireless remote control devices. The systems, apparatus, and methods allow the pairing between a set-top/back box and a remote control device to be made to be stateless, thereby facilitating the arbitration of subsequent pairings of the remote control device with one or more set-top/back boxes on a communications network, by a server computer communicably coupled to the respective set-top/back boxes over the communications network.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventor: Glen Hardin
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Publication number: 20140280878Abstract: Apparatus and methods for managing service delivery quality levels and telemetry. In one embodiment, an entity (such as a Session Resource Manager or SRM) receives network layout data from the network. The SRM uses the layout data to generate a mapping of the network. The SRM also receives performance data related to the interconnections of the network. The performance data is then applied to the mapping such that, in one variant, an visual overlay showing network flow and/or performance analytics is created. Based on this mapping showing layout and corresponding performance, the SRM generates rules for delivery of services. The rules may detail preferred routes and service level information. The rules are the distributed to nodes along the delivery route and delivery is executed in compliance with the rules.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCInventors: Glen Hardin, Niem Dang
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Publication number: 20130247094Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering emergency alert system message content to customer premise devices without requiring them to tune to an emergency message channel and having to encode information into frames of regular program content being delivered to customer premise devices, e.g., set top boxes, are described. An emergency management server receives emergency alert messages from a federal government system and generates emergency alert control messages which are sent to one or more switching devices located at one or more regional hubsites/headends to which the emergency alert message applies. The emergency alert control message instructs the switching device to output an emergency alert content stream in place of a standard program. The switching device outputs the emergency content message stream in place of the standard program content to, e.g., a QAM modulator, which modulates the content stream on the frequency being used to deliver the standard program content being replaced.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2012Publication date: September 19, 2013Inventors: Glen Hardin, Greg Von Der Ahe, Nubia Castillo, Scott M. Davis
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Patent number: 8516529Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivery of packetized content (e.g., video, audio, data, etc.) over a content delivery network. In one embodiment, the content is packetized using an Internet Protocol (IP), and delivered by a service provider over both managed and unmanaged networks to subscribers of the provider, so as to provide delivery at any time, at any location, and via any designated user device. The delivered content may originate from the service provider, third-party content sources (e.g., networks or studios), the subscriber(s) themselves, or other sources including the Internet. Use of a common control and service functions within the network afford the ability to integrate or blend services together, thereby affording the service provider and subscriber new service and economic opportunities. Content delivery sessions may also be migrated from one device to another. A network-based user interface infrastructure, and gateway-based client-side architecture, are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2010Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCInventors: Michael L. Lajoie, Louis Williamson, Wilfrid Alssi, Chris Cholas, Jason Gaedtke, Kenneth Gould, Glen Hardin, Charles Hasek, Vedavati Hegde, Jeffery P. Markley, Vipul Patel, Howard Pfeffer
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Patent number: 8438603Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting content delivery service are described. In accordance with the invention content can be supplied to temporary storage of a regional or local server used to supply the content to a customer's premises when the requested content is not already available in the regional or local server. A content server hierarchy may be implemented with servers higher up in the hierarchy including more content, e.g., titles, than the number of titles stored in the lower level servers. By storing less frequently accessed content in servers higher in the hierarchy and frequently requested titles lower in the hierarchy, a vast number of titles can be supported without overburdening the storage available at local and regional servers. In addition, a national or other server high in the hierarchy can be used to store, move, and distribute local or other content as part of an on demand service.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2006Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Time Warner Cable Inc.Inventors: Glen Hardin, Robert Benya, James Kasanin
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Publication number: 20120060182Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distributing content using a spectrum generation device. In one embodiment, digital content is received via a time-multiplexed network transport (such as Gigabit Ethernet), and converted to frequency channels suitable for transmission over a content distribution (e.g., Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC)) network. In one variant, the conversion is performed using digital domain processing performed by a full spectrum generation device. Additionally, methods and apparatus for selectively adding, removing, and/or changing digital content from the full spectrum device are also disclosed. Various aspects of the present invention enable physical (infrastructure) consolidation, and software-implemented remote management of content distribution.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2010Publication date: March 8, 2012Inventor: Glen Hardin
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Publication number: 20110292785Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distributing content using a spectrum generation device. In one embodiment, digital content is received via a time-multiplexed network transport (such as Gigabit Ethernet), and converted to frequency channels suitable for transmission over a content distribution (e.g., Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC)) network. In one variant, the conversion is performed using digital domain processing performed by a full spectrum generation device. Additionally, methods and apparatus for selectively adding, removing, and/or changing digital content from the full spectrum device are also disclosed. Various aspects of the present invention enable physical (infrastructure) consolidation, and software-implemented remote management of content distribution.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2010Publication date: December 1, 2011Inventor: Glen Hardin
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Publication number: 20110107379Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivery of packetized content (e.g., video, audio, data, etc.) over a content delivery network. In one embodiment, the content is packetized using an Internet Protocol (IP), and delivered by a service provider over both managed and unmanaged networks to subscribers of the provider, so as to provide delivery at any time, at any location, and via any designated user device. The delivered content may originate from the service provider, third-party content sources (e.g., networks or studios), the subscriber(s) themselves, or other sources including the Internet. Use of a common control and service functions within the network afford the ability to integrate or blend services together, thereby affording the service provider and subscriber new service and economic opportunities. Content delivery sessions may also be migrated from one device to another. A network-based user interface infrastructure, and gateway-based client-side architecture, are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventors: Michael L. Lajoie, Louis Williamson, Wilfrid Aissi, Chris Cholas, Jason Gaedtke, Kenneth Gould, Glen Hardin, Charles Hasek, Vedavati Hegde, Jeffery P. Markley, Vipul Patel, Howard Pfeffer
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Publication number: 20110107364Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivery of packetized content (e.g., video, audio, data, etc.) over a content delivery network. In one embodiment, the content is packetized using an Internet Protocol (IP), and delivered by a service provider over both managed and unmanaged networks to subscribers of the provider, so as to provide delivery at any time, at any location, and via any designated user device. The delivered content may originate from the service provider, third-party content sources (e.g., networks or studios), the subscriber(s) themselves, or other sources including the Internet. Use of a common control and service functions within the network afford the ability to integrate or blend services together, thereby affording the service provider and subscriber new service and economic opportunities. Content delivery sessions may also be migrated from one device to another. A network-based user interface infrastructure, and gateway-based client-side architecture, are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventors: Michael L. Lajoie, Louis Williamson, Wilfrid Aissi, Chris Cholas, Jason Gaedtke, Kenneth Gould, Glen Hardin, Charles Hasek, Vedavati Hegde, Jeffery P. Markley, Vipul Patel, Howard Pfeffer
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Publication number: 20110103374Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivery of packetized content (e.g., video, audio, data, etc.) over a content delivery network. In one embodiment, the content is packetized using an Internet Protocol (IP), and delivered by a service provider over both managed and unmanaged networks to subscribers of the provider, so as to provide delivery at any time, at any location, and via any designated user device. The delivered content may originate from the service provider, third-party content sources (e.g., networks or studios), the subscriber(s) themselves, or other sources including the Internet. Use of a common control and service functions within the network afford the ability to integrate or blend services together, thereby affording the service provider and subscriber new service and economic opportunities. Content delivery sessions may also be migrated from one device to another. A network-based user interface infrastructure, and gateway-based client-side architecture, are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventors: Michael L. Lajoie, Louis Williamson, Wilfrid Aissi, Chris Cholas, Jason Gaedtke, Kenneth Gould, Glen Hardin, Charles Hasek, Vedavati Hegde, Jeffery P. Markley, Vipul Patel, Howard Pfeffer
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Publication number: 20110035772Abstract: Methods and apparatus for inserting local content of interest in an all digital content delivery network. In one embodiment, the content delivery network comprises a cable television or satellite network, and an RF channel thereof is separated or isolated from an incoming multiplex of all-digital content transmission. The separated RF channel is demodulated to provide a multiplexed transport stream, and packets corresponding to one or more programs from the transport stream are replaced with packets obtained from local compression and encoding of analog programming such as e.g., personal, educational and government (PEG) programming. The inserted programming may also contain closed captioning and emergency data alerts. The resulting encoded transport stream is then re-inserted into the multiplex, modulated, and put back onto the RF channel. In an alternate embodiment, space is reserved within the downstream multiplex so as to avoid having to remove an existing program stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2009Publication date: February 10, 2011Inventors: Scott W. Ramsdell, Glen Hardin