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).
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Patent number: 11570519Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 4, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: David J. Piepenbrink, James T. Sofos, Lee M. Chow
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Publication number: 20210168183Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2021Publication date: June 3, 2021Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: David J. Piepenbrink, Lee M. Chow, James T. Sofos
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Patent number: 10951674Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 19, 2019Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: David J. Piepenbrink, Lee M. Chow, James T. Sofos
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Patent number: 10887638Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 8, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Lee M. Chow, David Piepenbrink, Stephen Rys, James T. Sofos
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Patent number: 10769704Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 4, 2019Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: James T. Sofos, Lee M. Chow, David J. Piepenbrink
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Publication number: 20200267450Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2020Publication date: August 20, 2020Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: David J. Piepenbrink, James T. Sofos, Lee M. Chow
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Patent number: 10740833Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 13, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: David J. Piepenbrink, Lee M. Chow, James T. Sofos
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Patent number: 10681422Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 20, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: David J. Piepenbrink, James T. Sofos, Lee M. Chow
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Publication number: 20190342355Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2019Publication date: November 7, 2019Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: David J. Piepenbrink, Lee M. Chow, James T. Sofos
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Patent number: 10412133Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 23, 2016Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: David J. Piepenbrink, Lee M. Chow, James T. Sofos
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Publication number: 20190228456Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2019Publication date: July 25, 2019Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: James T. Sofos, Lee M. Chow, David J. Piepenbrink
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Patent number: 10290042Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 21, 2018Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: James T. Sofos, Lee M. Chow, David J. Piepenbrink
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Publication number: 20180352279Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Lee M. Chow, David Piepenbrink, Stephen Rys, James T. Sofos
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Publication number: 20180349971Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: David J. PIEPENBRINK, Lee M. CHOW, James T. SOFOS
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Patent number: 10075752Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 21, 2015Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Lee M. Chow, David Piepenbrink, Stephen Rys, James T. Sofos
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Patent number: 10068269Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 12, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: David J. Piepenbrink, Lee M. Chow, James T. Sofos
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Publication number: 20180182018Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2018Publication date: June 28, 2018Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: James T. Sofos, Lee M. Chow, David J. Piepenbrink
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Patent number: 9967608Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 13, 2009Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: David J. Piepenbrink, Lee M. Chow, James T. Sofos
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Patent number: 9922362Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 5, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: James T. Sofos, Lee M. Chow, David J. Piepenbrink
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Publication number: 20170289632Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: David J. Piepenbrink, James T. Sofos, Lee M. Chow