Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Gonder
Thomas L. Gonder 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: 9681167Abstract: In order to efficiently utilize the limited transmission bandwidth of a communications network, e.g., a cable network, guide data for constructing an interactive program guide (IPG) is delivered to a set-top terminal using different methodologies. For example, the guide data associated with those programs which are likely of interest to a user is automatically provided piecemeal in a broadcast stream. The set-top terminal, along with other terminals, may retrieve from such a broadcast stream some or all of the guide data therein over time, which is cached in the terminal in anticipation of a user's invocation of an IPG. On the other hand, the guide data associated with those programs which are less likely of interest to a user is furnished upon request by the set-top terminal needing such guide data to realize an IPG desired by the user. In addition, guide data for each program may be divided into detail guide data providing details of the program (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLCInventors: Thomas L. Gonder, David G. Bell, Russell L. Greenlee, John A. Stebbins
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Publication number: 20140298388Abstract: In order to efficiently utilize the limited transmission bandwidth of a communications network, e.g., a cable network, guide data for constructing an interactive program guide (IPG) is delivered to a set-top terminal using different methodologies. For example, the guide data associated with those programs which are likely of interest to a user is automatically provided piecemeal in a broadcast stream. The set-top terminal, along with other terminals, may retrieve from such a broadcast stream some or all of the guide data therein over time, which is cached in the terminal in anticipation of a user's invocation of an IPG. On the other hand, the guide data associated with those programs which are less likely of interest to a user is furnished upon request by the set-top terminal needing such guide data to realize an IPG desired by the user. In addition, guide data for each program may be divided into detail guide data providing details of the program (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCInventors: Thomas L. Gonder, David G. Bell, Russell L. Greenlee, John A. Stebbins
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Patent number: 8661469Abstract: In order to efficiently utilize the limited transmission bandwidth of a communications network, e.g., a cable network, guide data for constructing an interactive program guide (IPG) is delivered to a set-top terminal using different methodologies. For example, the guide data associated with those programs which are likely of interest to a user is automatically provided piecemeal in a broadcast stream. The set-top terminal, along with other terminals, may retrieve from such a broadcast stream some or all of the guide data therein over time, which is cached in the terminal in anticipation of a user's invocation of an IPG. On the other hand, the guide data associated with those programs which are less likely of interest to a user is furnished upon request by the set-top terminal needing such guide data to realize an IPG desired by the user. In addition, guide data for each program may be divided into detail guide data providing details of the program (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Time Warner Cable LLCInventors: Thomas L. Gonder, David G. Bell, Russell L. Greenlee, John A. Stebbins
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Patent number: 8434118Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of operating a communications system is disclosed comprising receiving a request for establishment of a session from a terminal, establishing the session with the terminal, and providing at least one navigation video segment to the terminal, via the session. The communications system may be a source of programming, such as a cable system, and the terminal may be a set-top terminal coupled to a display device. The navigation video segment may be used by the terminal to create selection menus to be displayed for user navigation. The video segments may be rich media video segments. A playlist may be generated comprising an indexed listing of a plurality of available video segments. The playlist may facilitate retrieval of video segments requested by a terminal. Communications systems, terminals and methods of operating a terminal are disclosed, as well.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCInventors: Thomas L. Gonder, John B. Carlucci, John A. Stebbins, Steven E. Riedl, Vipul B. Patel
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Patent number: 8365007Abstract: A system and method for dynamically configuring a switched digital video (SDV) system. An SDV server is configured to generate logs, including logs of program information, stream information and client information. A listener is configured to monitor the logs generated by the SDV server, generate state data indicative of a desired state of the SDV system, and generate state data indicative of an actual state of the SDV system. The listener compares the desired state data to the actual state data and determines whether the actual state data in view of the desired state data are indicative of an aberrant state of the SDV system. When the actual state data are indicative of an aberrant state of the SDV system, the listener determines a remedial action to change the operation of the SDV system and configures the SDV server to implement the remedial action.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2009Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Time Warner Cable, Inc.Inventors: Remi Rieger, Thomas L. Gonder
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Patent number: 8312504Abstract: Segmentation messages indicative of locations of upcoming events, such as the start and end of programs and program portions, and/or rights related to the programs and program portions, are used by cable systems and the like to store programs and program portions for later retrieval and transmission to customers on request. Storage, retrieval and management of programming is thereby facilitated. Methods and systems are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2003Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Time Warner Cable LLCInventors: John B. Carlucci, Louis D. Williamson, John W. Callahan, Erik G. Urdang, David M. Kimble, Thomas L. Gonder, Joseph Buehl
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Publication number: 20110061088Abstract: A system and method for dynamically configuring a switched digital video (SDV) system. An SDV server is configured to generate logs, including logs of program information, stream information and client information. A listener is configured to monitor the logs generated by the SDV server, generate state data indicative of a desired state of the SDV system, and generate state data indicative of an actual state of the SDV system. The listener compares the desired state data to the actual state data and determines whether the actual state data in view of the desired state data are indicative of an aberrant state of the SDV system. When the actual state data are indicative of an aberrant state of the SDV system, the listener determines a remedial action to change the operation of the SDV system and configures the SDV server to implement the remedial action.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Inventors: Remi Rieger, Thomas L. Gonder
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Publication number: 20100299404Abstract: In order to efficiently utilize the limited transmission bandwidth of a communications network, e.g., a cable network, guide data for constructing an interactive program guide (IPG) is delivered to a set-top terminal using different methodologies. For example, the guide data associated with those programs which are likely of interest to a user is automatically provided piecemeal in a broadcast stream. The set-top terminal, along with other terminals, may retrieve from such a broadcast stream some or all of the guide data therein over time, which is cached in the terminal in anticipation of a user's invocation of an IPG. On the other hand, the guide data associated with those programs which are less likely of interest to a user is furnished upon request by the set-top terminal needing such guide data to realize an IPG desired by the user. In addition, guide data for each program may be divided into detail guide data providing details of the program (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Inventors: Thomas L. Gonder, David G. Bell, Russell L. Greenlee, John A. Stebbins
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Patent number: 7757251Abstract: In order to efficiently utilize the limited transmission bandwidth of a communications network, e.g., a cable network, guide data for constructing an interactive program guide (IPG) is delivered to a set-top terminal using different methodologies. For example, the guide data associated with those programs which are likely of interest to a user is automatically provided piecemeal in a broadcast stream. The set-top terminal, along with other terminals, may retrieve from such a broadcast stream some or all of the guide data therein over time, which is cached in the terminal in anticipation of a user's invocation of an IPG. On the other hand, the guide data associated with those programs which are less likely of interest to a user is furnished upon request by the set-top terminal needing such guide data to realize an IPG desired by the user. In addition, guide data for each program may be divided into detail guide data providing details of the program (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2003Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Time Warner Interactive Video Group Inc.Inventors: Thomas L. Gonder, David G. Bell, Russell L. Greenlee, John A. Stebbins
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Publication number: 20040187150Abstract: In order to efficiently utilize the limited transmission bandwidth of a communications network, e.g., a cable network, guide data for constructing an interactive program guide (IPG) is delivered to a set-top terminal using different methodologies. For example, the guide data associated with those programs which are likely of interest to a user is automatically provided piecemeal in a broadcast stream. The set-top terminal, along with other terminals, may retrieve from such a broadcast stream some or all of the guide data therein over time, which is cached in the terminal in anticipation of a user's invocation of an IPG. On the other hand, the guide data associated with those programs which are less likely of interest to a user is furnished upon request by the set-top terminal needing such guide data to realize an IPG desired by the user. In addition, guide data for each program may be divided into detail guide data providing details of the program (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2003Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Thomas L. Gonder, David G. Bell, Russell L. Greenlee, John A. Stebbins
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Publication number: 20040015999Abstract: Segmentation messages indicative of locations of upcoming events, such as the start and end of programs and program portions, and/or rights related to the programs and program portions, are used by cable systems and the like to store programs and program portions for later retrieval and transmission to customers on request. Storage, retrieval and management of programming is thereby facilitated. Methods and systems are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventors: John B. Carlucci, Louis D. Williamson, John W. Callahan, Erik G. Urdang, David M. Kimble, Thomas L. Gonder, Joseph Buehl