Patents by Inventor Lee M. Chow

Lee M. Chow 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: 11570519
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling viewing of multimedia content includes collecting viewing control profiles and associated viewing control passwords via an Internet-protocol television portal, a web portal, and a mobile portal. The viewing control profile may be usable to restrict access to certain multimedia programs. The viewing control may be applied using a unified storefront application, providing access to multimedia content via the Internet-protocol television portal, the web portal, and the mobile portal, to offer and provide controlled access to the multimedia assets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: David J. Piepenbrink, James T. Sofos, Lee M. Chow
  • Publication number: 20210168183
    Abstract: Access to transactional multimedia content may be based on network routing. Some multimedia content may be best delivered via a private network. Other multimedia content may be best delivered via a public network. A type of the multimedia content may thus determine network routing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: David J. Piepenbrink, Lee M. Chow, James T. Sofos
  • Patent number: 10951674
    Abstract: Access to transactional multimedia content may be based on network routing. Some multimedia content may be best delivered via a private network. Other multimedia content may be best delivered via a public network. A type of the multimedia content may thus determine network routing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: David J. Piepenbrink, Lee M. Chow, James T. Sofos
  • Patent number: 10887638
    Abstract: A method includes encrypting, at a server, a media content item to form encrypted content. The method includes determining, at the server, a group of media devices associated with users that are likely to request the media content item. The method includes multicasting, without receiving a related request for the media content item from a media device of the group, the encrypted content and information from the server to the group of media devices. The information includes a usage period of the encrypted content. The method includes, receiving, at the server during the usage period, an acceptance notice of an offer for the media content item from a media device of the group of media devices. The method also includes sending, from the server to the media device, a decryption key for the encrypted content responsive to the acceptance notice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Lee M. Chow, David Piepenbrink, Stephen Rys, James T. Sofos
  • Patent number: 10769704
    Abstract: Electronic multimedia content is recommended based on personal preferences. Consumption information may be collected to generate recommended multimedia content. Electronic storefronts may also be selected based on the consumption information. Different portals and access points may be used based on IPTV assets, mobile assets, and mobile assets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: James T. Sofos, Lee M. Chow, David J. Piepenbrink
  • Publication number: 20200267450
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling viewing of multimedia content includes collecting viewing control profiles and associated viewing control passwords via an Internet-protocol television portal, a web portal, and a mobile portal. The viewing control profile may be usable to restrict access to certain multimedia programs. The viewing control may be applied using a unified storefront application, providing access to multimedia content via the Internet-protocol television portal, the web portal, and the mobile portal, to offer and provide controlled access to the multimedia assets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: David J. Piepenbrink, James T. Sofos, Lee M. Chow
  • Patent number: 10740833
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling electronic storefronts presented using a set-top box over a communication network. The method includes sending, by a server, electronic video content over the communication network for delivery to a set-top box. The electronic video content includes a trigger that instructs a processor in the set-top box to display options in a graphical user interface on a display device, and an embedded selectable trigger that causes the processor to display at least one popup on the display device. The method also includes sending, by the server, a retrieved electronic storefront over the communication network to the set-top box, wherein the retrieved electronic storefront, including user-selectable assets, is virtually presented on the display device by the set-top box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: David J. Piepenbrink, Lee M. Chow, James T. Sofos
  • Patent number: 10681422
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling viewing of multimedia content includes collecting viewing control profiles and associated viewing control passwords via an Internet-protocol television portal, a web portal, and a mobile portal. The viewing control profile may be usable to restrict access to certain multimedia programs. The viewing control may be applied using a unified storefront application, providing access to multimedia content via the Internet-protocol television portal, the web portal, and the mobile portal, to offer and provide controlled access to the multimedia assets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: David J. Piepenbrink, James T. Sofos, Lee M. Chow
  • Publication number: 20190342355
    Abstract: Access to transactional multimedia content may be based on network routing. Some multimedia content may be best delivered via a private network. Other multimedia content may be best delivered via a public network. A type of the multimedia content may thus determine network routing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: David J. Piepenbrink, Lee M. Chow, James T. Sofos
  • Patent number: 10412133
    Abstract: Access to transactional multimedia content may be based on network routing. Some multimedia content may be best delivered via a private network. Other multimedia content may be best delivered via a public network. A type of the multimedia content may thus determine network routing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: David J. Piepenbrink, Lee M. Chow, James T. Sofos
  • Publication number: 20190228456
    Abstract: Electronic multimedia content is recommended based on personal preferences. Consumption information may be collected to generate recommended multimedia content. Electronic storefronts may also be selected based on the consumption information. Different portals and access points may be used based on IPTV assets, mobile assets, and mobile assets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James T. Sofos, Lee M. Chow, David J. Piepenbrink
  • Patent number: 10290042
    Abstract: Electronic multimedia content is recommended based on personal preferences. Consumption information may be collected to generate recommended multimedia content. Electronic storefronts may also be selected based on the consumption information. Different portals and access points may be used based on IPTV assets, mobile assets, and mobile assets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: James T. Sofos, Lee M. Chow, David J. Piepenbrink
  • Publication number: 20180352279
    Abstract: A method includes encrypting, at a server, a media content item to form encrypted content. The method includes determining, at the server, a group of media devices associated with users that are likely to request the media content item. The method includes multicasting, without receiving a related request for the media content item from a media device of the group, the encrypted content and information from the server to the group of media devices. The information includes a usage period of the encrypted content. The method includes, receiving, at the server during the usage period, an acceptance notice of an offer for the media content item from a media device of the group of media devices. The method also includes sending, from the server to the media device, a decryption key for the encrypted content responsive to the acceptance notice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Lee M. Chow, David Piepenbrink, Stephen Rys, James T. Sofos
  • Publication number: 20180349971
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling electronic storefronts presented using a set-top box over a communication network. The method includes sending, by a server, electronic video content over the communication network for delivery to a set-top box. The electronic video content includes a trigger that instructs a processor in the set-top box to display options in a graphical user interface on a display device, and an embedded selectable trigger that causes the processor to display at least one popup on the display device. The method also includes sending, by the server, a retrieved electronic storefront over the communication network to the set-top box, wherein the retrieved electronic storefront, including user-selectable assets, is virtually presented on the display device by the set-top box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: David J. PIEPENBRINK, Lee M. CHOW, James T. SOFOS
  • Patent number: 10075752
    Abstract: A method includes determining, at a server, whether to send a media content item to a media device based on a recommendation, where the media content item is associated with a time period. The method also includes, in response to a determination to send the media content item, sending the media content item from the server to the media device, where the media content item is unplayable at the media device when attempted to be played at a time outside of the time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Lee M. Chow, David Piepenbrink, Stephen Rys, James T. Sofos
  • Patent number: 10068269
    Abstract: A method and system for limiting spending in a multimedia content distribution network involves receiving spending limits from an Internet-protocol television portal, a web portal, or a mobile portal. The spending limits may be provided by a network user and may be usable to limit access to multimedia programs. The spending limits may be applied using a unified storefront application, which provides access to multimedia content via an Internet-protocol television portal, a web portal, and a mobile portal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: David J. Piepenbrink, Lee M. Chow, James T. Sofos
  • Publication number: 20180182018
    Abstract: Electronic multimedia content is recommended based on personal preferences. Consumption information may be collected to generate recommended multimedia content. Electronic storefronts may also be selected based on the consumption information. Different portals and access points may be used based on IPTV assets, mobile assets, and mobile assets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James T. Sofos, Lee M. Chow, David J. Piepenbrink
  • Patent number: 9967608
    Abstract: A method and system for distributing multimedia content includes a unified storefront (USF) application providing access portals to a multimedia content distribution network, including an Internet-protocol television access portal, a web access portal and a mobile access portal. The USF application may further communicate with a media agent to access a portable media player (PMP), allowing multimedia content to be sent to the PMP from any of the access portals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: David J. Piepenbrink, Lee M. Chow, James T. Sofos
  • Patent number: 9922362
    Abstract: Electronic multimedia content is recommended based on personal preferences. Consumption information may be collected to generate recommended multimedia content. Electronic storefronts may also be selected based on the consumption information. Different portals and access points may be used based on IPTV assets, mobile assets, and mobile assets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: James T. Sofos, Lee M. Chow, David J. Piepenbrink
  • Publication number: 20170289632
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling viewing of multimedia content includes collecting viewing control profiles and associated viewing control passwords via an Internet-protocol television portal, a web portal, and a mobile portal. The viewing control profile may be usable to restrict access to certain multimedia programs. The viewing control may be applied using a unified storefront application, providing access to multimedia content via the Internet-protocol television portal, the web portal, and the mobile portal, to offer and provide controlled access to the multimedia assets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: David J. Piepenbrink, James T. Sofos, Lee M. Chow