Patents by Inventor Tom Gonder
Tom 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: 11924521Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing delivery of content to client devices of a network via both multicast and unicast mechanisms. In one embodiment, a system for use in a managed content delivery network is described to bridge multicast to unicast, so that the total network bandwidth consumption is significantly lower than a corresponding unicast-only delivery solution, yet which still provides improved quality of service and user viewing experience as compared to a multicast-only delivery solution. In addition, various exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are readily adapted for real-time multicast to unicast streaming of audio and data to, among other things, minimize network bandwidth usage, while maintaining the guaranteed delivery of unicast streams with little or no modification to the existing client device logic.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2020Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLCInventors: Tom Gonder, William L. Helms, Kenneth Gould, David Chen, John Chen, Jian Yu, Niem Dang, Vipul Patel
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Publication number: 20240048791Abstract: Apparatus and methods for recording a media stream for use by a rendering device. In one embodiment, a client device records live, unbound streaming media content from a Content Delivery Network (CDN) in “chunks” according to a data structure such as a manifest file. The live media content stream chunks are compressed and stored for later playback. The client device uses information regarding the chunks to generate a local manifest file, which it then uses to reconstruct the media stream. A video client may also dynamically insert and account for updated secondary content (such as advertisements) during each playback instance, thus enabling the service provider to realize commercial opportunities which were previously not possible. Various operational/business rules are also disclosed for e.g., enabling and disabling functions with respect to playback of the content.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Tom Gonder, John Chen, Vipul Patel
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Patent number: 11800171Abstract: Apparatus and methods for recording a media stream for use by a rendering device. In one embodiment, a client device records live, unbound streaming media content from a Content Delivery Network (CDN) in “chunks” according to a data structure such as a manifest file. The live media content stream chunks are compressed and stored for later playback. The client device uses information regarding the chunks to generate a local manifest file, which it then uses to reconstruct the media stream. A video client may also dynamically insert and account for updated secondary content (such as advertisements) during each playback instance, thus enabling the service provider to realize commercial opportunities which were previously not possible. Various operational/business rules are also disclosed for e.g., enabling and disabling functions with respect to playback of the content.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2019Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLCInventors: Tom Gonder, John Chen, Vipul Patel
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Publication number: 20200162797Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing delivery of content to client devices of a network via both multicast and unicast mechanisms. In one embodiment, a system for use in a managed content delivery network is described to bridge multicast to unicast, so that the total network bandwidth consumption is significantly lower than a corresponding unicast-only delivery solution, yet which still provides improved quality of service and user viewing experience as compared to a multicast-only delivery solution. In addition, various exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are readily adapted for real-time multicast to unicast streaming of audio and data to, among other things, minimize network bandwidth usage, while maintaining the guaranteed delivery of unicast streams with little or no modification to the existing client device logic.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2020Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: Tom Gonder, William L. Helms, Kenneth Gould, David Chen, John Chen, Jian Yu, Niem Dang, Vipul Patel
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Patent number: 10587918Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for providing targeted advertising in a television distribution system, without the disclosure of personally identifiable information. The system of the present invention comprises an advertisement management system (AMS) operative to monitor the state of one or more clients in the television distribution system and determine when a advertisement is required. The AMS is operative to select one or more features that do not comprise personally identifiable information from a feature repository. The system also comprises an advertisement selection system (ADS) operative to receive the one or more features from the AMS and select an advertisement targeted according to the one or more features.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2013Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLCInventors: Steve Riedl, Erik Urdang, Tom Gonder, Bryan Santangelo, Brad Jordan
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Patent number: 10531161Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing delivery of content to client devices of a network via both multicast and unicast mechanisms. In one embodiment, a system for use in a managed content delivery network is described to bridge multicast to unicast, so that the total network bandwidth consumption is significantly lower than a corresponding unicast-only delivery solution, yet which still provides improved quality of service and user viewing experience as compared to a multicast-only delivery solution. In addition, various exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are readily adapted for real-time multicast to unicast streaming of audio and data to, among other things, minimize network bandwidth usage, while maintaining the guaranteed delivery of unicast streams with little or no modification to the existing client device logic.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2016Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCInventors: Tom Gonder, William L. Helms, Kenneth Gould, David Chen, John Chen, Jian Yu, Niem Dang, Vipul Patel
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Patent number: 10448117Abstract: 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: April 30, 2018Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCInventors: Paul D. Brooks, Tom Gonder, Glen Hardin
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Publication number: 20190158906Abstract: Apparatus and methods for recording a media stream for use by a rendering device. In one embodiment, a client device records live, unbound streaming media content from a Content Delivery Network (CDN) in “chunks” according to a data structure such as a manifest file. The live media content stream chunks are compressed and stored for later playback. The client device uses information regarding the chunks to generate a local manifest file, which it then uses to reconstruct the media stream. A video client may also dynamically insert and account for updated secondary content (such as advertisements) during each playback instance, thus enabling the service provider to realize commercial opportunities which were previously not possible. Various operational/business rules are also disclosed for e.g., enabling and disabling functions with respect to playback of the content.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2019Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: Tom Gonder, John Chen, Vipul Patel
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Patent number: 10277930Abstract: In a switched digital video content-based network, wherein a head end obtains a first group of program streams and sends to a client only a subset of the program streams selected by subscribers in a neighborhood of the client, imminence and/or presence of a condition of inadequate bandwidth is determined. Responsive to the determining, a bit rate of at least one of the subset of the program streams selected by the subscribers in the neighborhood of the client is dynamically decreased by adjusting encoding thereof, while maintaining adequate quality for the at least one of the subset of the program streams selected by the subscribers in the neighborhood of the client, based on an objective quality measure, in order to address the imminence and/or presence of the condition of inadequate bandwidth.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2018Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLCInventors: Scott M. Davis, Tom Gonder, Paul Brooks
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Patent number: 10187698Abstract: Methods and apparatus for retrieving and providing voice mail messages from a server are described. In accordance with the invention voice mail messages may be retrieved via requests made via a set top box. Voice mail messages are retrieved in response to the request from a voice mail server which is also accessible via the telephone network. Retrieved voice mail is transcoded and included in a video on demand (VOD) file. Text, call ID information and/or other information as, e.g., an automatically generated transcript of the voice mail message, may be included in the VOD file. The VOD file is supplied to a VOD server which provides the file including the message to the set top box for display. A user can view the messages and switch from viewing one message to the next by using video play back commands.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2017Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCInventors: David G Bell, Matthew Cannon, Chad Enney, Tom Gonder
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Publication number: 20180316979Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2018Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventors: PAUL D. BROOKS, TOM GONDER, GLEN HARDIN
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Patent number: 10015533Abstract: In a switched digital video content-based network, wherein a head end obtains a first group of program streams and sends to a client only a subset of the program streams selected by subscribers in a neighborhood of the client, imminence and/or presence of a condition of inadequate bandwidth is determined. Responsive to the determining, a bit rate of at least one of the subset of the program streams selected by the subscribers in the neighborhood of the client is dynamically decreased by adjusting encoding thereof, while maintaining adequate quality for the at least one of the subset of the program streams selected by the subscribers in the neighborhood of the client, based on an objective quality measure, in order to address the imminence and/or presence of the condition of inadequate bandwidth.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2014Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLCInventors: Scott M. Davis, Tom Gonder, Paul Brooks
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Publication number: 20180184134Abstract: A video distribution network includes a distribution plant and a first bulk encryption device connected to the distribution plant, wherein the bulk encryption device outputs a first encrypted video service stream to the distribution plant via an internet protocol (IP) interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2018Publication date: June 28, 2018Inventors: Niem Dang, Tom Gonder, Peter J. Arnts, Kirk Erichsen, Brian Floyd, Michael Kelsen
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Publication number: 20180184143Abstract: In a switched digital video content-based network, wherein a head end obtains a first group of program streams and sends to a client only a subset of the program streams selected by subscribers in a neighborhood of the client, imminence and/or presence of a condition of inadequate bandwidth is determined. Responsive to the determining, a bit rate of at least one of the subset of the program streams selected by the subscribers in the neighborhood of the client is dynamically decreased by adjusting encoding thereof, while maintaining adequate quality for the at least one of the subset of the program streams selected by the subscribers in the neighborhood of the client, based on an objective quality measure, in order to address the imminence and/or presence of the condition of inadequate bandwidth.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2018Publication date: June 28, 2018Inventors: Scott M. Davis, Tom Gonder, Paul Brooks
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Patent number: 9961413Abstract: 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: March 19, 2015Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLCInventors: Paul D. Brooks, Tom Gonder, Glen Hardin
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Publication number: 20180070139Abstract: Methods and apparatus for retrieving and providing voice mail messages from a server are described. In accordance with the invention voice mail messages may be retrieved via requests made via a set top box. Voice mail messages are retrieved in response to the request from a voice mail server which is also accessible via the telephone network. Retrieved voice mail is transcoded and included in a video on demand (VOD) file. Text, call ID information and/or other information as, e.g., an automatically generated transcript of the voice mail message, may be included in the VOD file. The VOD file is supplied to a VOD server which provides the file including the message to the set top box for display. A user can view the messages and switch from viewing one message to the next by using video play back commands.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2017Publication date: March 8, 2018Inventors: David G. Bell, Matthew Cannon, Chad Enney, Tom Gonder
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Patent number: 9888270Abstract: A video distribution network includes a distribution plant and a first bulk encryption device connected to the distribution plant, wherein the bulk encryption device outputs a first encrypted video service stream to the distribution plant via an internet protocol (IP) interface.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2013Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLCInventors: Niem Dang, Tom Gonder, Peter J. Arnts, Kirk Erichsen, Brian Floyd, Michael Kelsen
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Patent number: 9769533Abstract: Methods and apparatus for retrieving and providing voice mail messages from a server are described. In accordance with the invention voice mail messages may be retrieved via requests made via a set top box. Voice mail messages are retrieved in response to the request from a voice mail server which is also accessible via the telephone network. Retrieved voice mail is transcoded and included in a video on demand (VOD) file. Text, call ID information and/or other information as, e.g., an automatically generated transcript of the voice mail message, may be included in the VOD file. The VOD file is supplied to a VOD server which provides the file including the message to the set top box for display. A user can view the messages and switch from viewing one message to the next by using video play back commands.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2016Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCInventors: David G Bell, Matthew Cannon, Chad Enney, Tom Gonder
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Patent number: 9681161Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering data over extant infrastructure within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable network, and the infrastructure comprises that nominally used for on-demand (OD) services such as VOD. The method includes the allocation of dedicated end-to-end network resources via a “session request, as well as data flow control and packet size adaptation, by a data server based on feedback from the requesting/receiving client device (e.g., DSTB) within the network. Mechanisms for retransmission requests for error recovery are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLCInventors: Tom Gonder, Craig Mahonchak, John Carlucci, Vipul Patel, John Callahan, Jay Thomas
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Publication number: 20170026712Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing delivery of content to client devices of a network via both multicast and unicast mechanisms. In one embodiment, a system for use in a managed content delivery network is described to bridge multicast to unicast, so that the total network bandwidth consumption is significantly lower than a corresponding unicast-only delivery solution, yet which still provides improved quality of service and user viewing experience as compared to a multicast-only delivery solution. In addition, various exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are readily adapted for real-time multicast to unicast streaming of audio and data to, among other things, minimize network bandwidth usage, while maintaining the guaranteed delivery of unicast streams with little or no modification to the existing client device logic.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Tom Gonder, William L. Helms, Kenneth Gould, David Chen, John Chen, Jian Yu, Niem Dang, Vipul Patel