Patents by Inventor Thomas Day

Thomas Day 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).

  • Publication number: 20220210498
    Abstract: An archive model can be used for managing networked storage of recorded content, such as network DVR (digital video recorder) content. Content may be initially recorded to an active storage device, with individual duplicate copies recorded for each requesting user, and subsequently archived to an archive storage device. For playback, the content can be reconstituted into the active storage device prior to delivery to the requesting user. Content can be predictively reconstituted in anticipation of user needs, and the reconstitution capacity of the system can be dynamically reallocated for load balancing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Todd Walker, Bruce Bradley, Thomas Day, Robert Gaydos, John Leddy, Weidong Mao
  • Patent number: 11218762
    Abstract: An archive model can be used for managing networked storage of recorded content, such as network DVR (digital video recorder) content. Content may be initially recorded to an active storage device, with individual duplicate copies recorded for each requesting user, and subsequently archived to an archive storage device. For playback, the content can be reconstituted into the active storage device prior to delivery to the requesting user. Content can be predictively reconstituted in anticipation of user needs, and the reconstitution capacity of the system can be dynamically reallocated for load balancing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Walker, Bruce Bradley, Thomas Day, Robert Gaydos, John Leddy, Weidong Mao
  • Publication number: 20210409829
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for reducing content storage space and network resources. A device, such as a network storage device, can receive a plurality of requests to record a content item with varying start times and end times. The network device can map the start time and end time of each request to a subscriber, premises, and/or device. The network device can determine the earliest of the start times associated with the content item and the latest of the end times associated with the content item. In an aspect, the network device can make a recording, starting at the earliest start time and ending at the latest end time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Bruce Hertzfeld, Mark McKelvey, Thomas Day
  • Patent number: 10924805
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for reducing content storage space and network resources. A device, such as a network storage device, can receive a plurality of requests to record a content item with varying start times and end times. The network device can map the start time and end time of each request to a subscriber, premises, and/or device. The network device can determine the earliest of the start times associated with the content item and the latest of the end times associated with the content item. In an aspect, the network device can make a recording, starting at the earliest start time and ending at the latest end time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Hertzfeld, Mark McKelvey, Thomas Day
  • Publication number: 20200329269
    Abstract: A network digital video recording (nDVR) system may take into account the capabilities of a requesting user's local DVR when managing network recordings. The user's local DVR may include a temporary buffer that is normally used to record what the DVR is tuned to, and may be used for local trickplay functionality such as pausing live television. The nDVR features described herein may track the usage of the user's temporary DVR buffer, and use that in determining what to stream in response to a user's playback request. The nDVR system can also determine if the user's local DVR has an unused tuner at a time of a program recording, and can instruct the user's local DVR to also tune to the program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Todd Walker, Bruce Bradley, Thomas Day, Robert Gaydos, John Leddy, Weidong Mao
  • Patent number: 10764628
    Abstract: A network digital video recording (nDVR) system may take into account the capabilities of a requesting user's local DVR when managing network recordings. The user's local DVR may include a temporary buffer that is normally used to record what the DVR is tuned to, and may be used for local trickplay functionality such as pausing live television. The nDVR features described herein may track the usage of the user's temporary DVR buffer, and use that in determining what to stream in response to a user's playback request. The nDVR system can also determine if the user's local DVR has an unused tuner at a time of a program recording, and can instruct the user's local DVR to also tune to the program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Walker, Bruce Bradley, Thomas Day, Robert Gaydos, John Leddy, Weidong Mao
  • Publication number: 20190373329
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for reducing content storage space and network resources. A device, such as a network storage device, can receive a plurality of requests to record a content item with varying start times and end times. The network device can map the start time and end time of each request to a subscriber, premises, and/or device. The network device can determine the earliest of the start times associated with the content item and the latest of the end times associated with the content item. In an aspect, the network device can make a recording, starting at the earliest start time and ending at the latest end time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Bruce Hertzfeld, Mark Mckelvey, Thomas Day
  • Patent number: 10368138
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed which detect a change in the status of a multimedia asset in a multimedia delivery system, and take steps to make the multimedia asset available after the status change. The multimedia asset can then be locally recorded on the user's digital video recorder (DVR) before the status changes. Alternatively, the user can be directed to an equivalent asset, for example, video-on-demand (VOD). The user may also receive a notification, which can be displayed on a TV or computer monitor or send to a remote device, for example to a mobile phone as an email or a short message. The user may be able to purchase the asset and/or initiate recording the asset. The status can be, for example, an expiration date of an asset, or a change of the source or format of an asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Day
  • Patent number: 10349142
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for reducing content storage space and network resources. A device, such as a network storage device, can receive a plurality of requests to record a content item with varying start times and end times. The network device can map the start time and end time of each request to a subscriber, premises, and/or device. The network device can determine the earliest of the start times associated with the content item and the latest of the end times associated with the content item. In an aspect, the network device can make a recording, starting at the earliest start time and ending at the latest end time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Hertzfeld, Mark McKelvey, Thomas Day
  • Publication number: 20190098363
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for reducing content storage space and network resources. A device, such as a network storage device, can receive a plurality of requests to record a content item with varying start times and end times. The network device can map the start time and end time of each request to a subscriber, premises, and/or device. The network device can determine the earliest of the start times associated with the content item and the latest of the end times associated with the content item. In an aspect, the network device can make a recording, starting at the earliest start time and ending at the latest end time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Bruce Hertzfeld, Mark McKelvey, Thomas Day
  • Publication number: 20180316960
    Abstract: A network digital video recording (nDVR) system may take into account the capabilities of a requesting user's local DVR when managing network recordings. The user's local DVR may include a temporary buffer that is normally used to record what the DVR is tuned to, and may be used for local trickplay functionality such as pausing live television. The nDVR features described herein may track the usage of the user's temporary DVR buffer, and use that in determining what to stream in response to a user's playback request. The nDVR system can also determine if the user's local DVR has an unused tuner at a time of a program recording, and can instruct the user's local DVR to also tune to the program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Todd Walker, Bruce Bradley, Thomas Day, Robert Gaydos, John Leddy, Weidong Mao
  • Patent number: 9998788
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for reducing content storage space and network resources. A device, such as a network storage device, can receive a plurality of requests to record a content item with varying start times and end times. The network device can map the start time and end time of each request to a subscriber, premises, and/or device. The network device can determine the earliest of the start times associated with the content item and the latest of the end times associated with the content item. In an aspect, the network device can make a recording, starting at the earliest start time and ending at the latest end time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Hertzfeld, Mark McKelvey, Thomas Day
  • Patent number: 9998783
    Abstract: A network digital video recording (nDVR) system may take into account the capabilities of a requesting user's local DVR when managing network recordings. The user's local DVR may include a temporary buffer that is normally used to record what the DVR is tuned to, and may be used for local trickplay functionality such as pausing live television. The nDVR features described herein may track the usage of the user's temporary DVR buffer, and use that in determining what to stream in response to a user's playback request. The nDVR system can also determine if the user's local DVR has an unused tuner at a time of a program recording, and can instruct the user's local DVR to also tune to the program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Walker, Bruce Bradley, Thomas Day, Robert Gaydos, John Leddy, Weidong Mao
  • Patent number: 9843839
    Abstract: A transport control interface may be provided by an interactive television program guide application to provide information, control or both for live and recorded video programming. The transport control interface may indicate to the user the time duration of live or recorded program and any time segments of the program that have been recorded. The transport control interface may automatically adjust the start and end time shown to accommodate various factors such as continuous viewing on a particular channel, multiple recorded segments, buffer size, etc. Various information associated with the live or recorded video programming may be displayed in the transport control interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny R. Gaydou, II, M. Scott Reichardt, Michael D. Ellis, Thomas Day
  • Publication number: 20170245018
    Abstract: A transport control interface may be provided by an interactive television program guide application to provide information, control or both for live and recorded video programming. The transport control interface may indicate to the user the time duration of live or recorded program and any time segments of the program that have been recorded. The transport control interface may automatically adjust the start and end time shown to accommodate various factors such as continuous viewing on a particular channel, multiple recorded segments, buffer size, etc. Various information associated with the live or recorded video programming may be displayed in the transport control interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Danny R. Gaydou, II, M. Scott Reichardt, Michael D. Ellis, Thomas Day
  • Patent number: 9742825
    Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring devices are disclosed. One method can comprise receiving an output signal representing user rights relating to a requested data and processing the output signal to generate validation data. The method can also comprise transmitting the validation data to a source of the requested data, wherein the validation data facilitates the transmission of the requested data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Will, Joshua Seiden, Thomas Day, Derek Johnson, Shawn Kercher
  • Patent number: 9621956
    Abstract: A transport control interface may be provided by an interactive television program guide application to provide information, control or both for live and recorded video programming. The transport control interface may indicate to the user this time duration of a live or recorded program and any time segments of the program that have been recorded. The transport control interface may automatically adjust the start and end time shown to accommodate various factors such as continuous viewing on a particular channel, multiple recorded segments, buffer size, etc. Various information associated with the live or recorded video programming may be displayed in the transport control interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny R. Gaydou, II, M. Scott Reichardt, Michael D. Ellis, Thomas Day
  • Publication number: 20170033925
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to mechanisms for securing a communication system by using one-time pads. One-time pads may be generated and exchanged in person using proximity based mechanisms including optical communication mechanisms on mobile devices. In particular examples, a quick response (QR) code on one party's mobile device is scanned by the other party's mobile device to securely exchange a randomly-generated symmetric key. The symmetric key is used to encrypt a randomly generated one-time pad transmitted from one party's mobile device to the other party's mobile device. The one-time pad may be shared in encrypted form using proximity based mechanisms including Bluetooth, WiFi, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: Oscar Tango Papa LLC
    Inventors: John Paul DeNeut, Thomas Day Newbold
  • Publication number: 20160269796
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed which detect a change in the status of a multimedia asset in a multimedia delivery system, and take steps to make the multimedia asset available after the status change. The multimedia asset can then be locally recorded on the user's digital video recorder (DVR) before the status changes. Alternatively, the user can be directed to an equivalent asset, for example, video-on-demand (VOD). The user may also receive a notification, which can be displayed on a TV or computer monitor or send to a remote device, for example to a mobile phone as an email or a short message. The user may be able to purchase the asset and/or initiate recording the asset. The status can be, for example, an expiration date of an asset, or a change of the source or format of an asset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Day
  • Patent number: D818539
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas Day, Sr.