Patents by Inventor William D. Swart

William D. Swart 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: 20190272358
    Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for searching and delivering program content are described herein. A search request may be received from a first user device. After determining that a first search was unsuccessful, available content associated with the search request may be determined based on at least one change in at least one content source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: John S. McCoskey, William D. Swart, Michael L. Asmussen
  • Patent number: 10349096
    Abstract: A video and digital multimedia aggregator includes a content decoder, coder (codec) and formatter. The codec formatter receives coding and formatting requests that characterize input source content and desired output target content. Data conveyed about the source and target content may include parameters such as physical and/or logical addresses, coding and compression parameters, format descriptions, content size, description of auxiliary services, and other metadata elements that may be required for coding and formatting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Comcast IP Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: William D. Swart, John S. McCoskey, Michael L. Asmussen
  • Patent number: 10140433
    Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for searching and delivering program content are described herein. A search request may be received from a first user device. One or more content sources in a distributed digital communication network may be searched for program content that satisfies the search criteria. Responsive to determining that the search was unsuccessful, the one or more content sources may be monitored for changes to determine whether at least one change satisfies the search criteria. Data indicative of the at least one matching result may be delivered to a second user device. A selection of a program content item associated with one of the at least one matching result may be received. According to one or more aspects, the selected program content item may be delivered to the second user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Comcast IP Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: John S. McCoskey, William D. Swart, Michael L. Asmussen
  • Publication number: 20160203298
    Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for searching and delivering program content are described herein. A search request may be received from a first user device. One or more content sources in a distributed digital communication network may be searched for program content that satisfies the search criteria. Responsive to determining that the search was unsuccessful, the one or more content sources may be monitored for changes to determine whether at least one change satisfies the search criteria. Data indicative of the at least one matching result may be delivered to a second user device. A selection of a program content item associated with one of the at least one matching result may be received. According to one or more aspects, the selected program content item may be delivered to the second user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: John S. McCoskey, William D. Swart, Michael L. Asmussen
  • Patent number: 9286294
    Abstract: To allow a user to maximize use of a video and digital multimedia aggregator, a search suggestion engine and corresponding method may be used to provide suggestions of available content. The search suggestion engine starts by constructing a database of metadata elements or word items. The metadata element database may be constructed by using a crawler that periodically or continually crawls a content metadata database and extracts word items from the content metadata database. The word items are then processed according to a number of factors, including part-of-speech, entries in dictionaries and thesaurus and other factors. The thus-processed word items are indexed, and may be provided with a vector value. A subsequent search request submitted by the user may include search criteria that may be provided vector values. A processor within the search suggestion engine compares the vector values to determine if an indexed word item should be considered for retrieving the indexed word item's associated content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Comcast IP Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: Michael L. Asmussen, John S. Mccoskey, William D. Swart
  • Publication number: 20140095491
    Abstract: The present invention utilizes an aggregator for searching, packaging and delivering content. The aggregator processes requests, searches, provides search results and acquires content. The aggregator, operating in a communications network, includes a request and results processing server, a search engine server coupled to the request and results processing server and a content acquisition server coupled to the request and results processing server. A request and results processing server receives a request for content, the search engine server searches for the content and the content acquisition program acquires content for delivery to the user. The request and results processing server includes a search request processor that receives information related to a user's search request and provides the information to a search results form builder that creates an electronic search request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Comcast IP Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: John S. McCoskey, William D. Swart, Michael L. Asmussen
  • Publication number: 20140059619
    Abstract: A video and digital multimedia aggregator includes a content decoder, coder (codec) and formatter. The codec formatter receives coding and formatting requests that characterize input source content and desired output target content. Data conveyed about the source and target content may include parameters such as physical and/or logical addresses, coding and compression parameters, format descriptions, content size, description of auxiliary services, and other metadata elements that may be required for coding and formatting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: William D. Swart, John S. McCoskey, Michael L. Asmussen
  • Patent number: 8621521
    Abstract: The present invention utilizes an aggregator for searching, packaging and delivering content. The aggregator processes requests, searches, provides search results and acquires content. The aggregator, operating in a communications network, includes a request and results processing server, a search engine server coupled to the request and results processing server and a content acquisition server coupled to the request and results processing server. A request and results processing server receives a request for content, the search engine server searches for the content and the content acquisition program acquires content for delivery to the user. The request and results processing server includes a search request processor that receives information related to a user's search request and provides the information to a search results form builder that creates an electronic search request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Comcast IP Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: John S. McCoskey, William D. Swart, Michael L. Asmussen
  • Patent number: 8578410
    Abstract: A video and digital multimedia aggregator includes a content decoder, coder (codec) and formatter. The codec formatter receives coding and formatting requests that characterize input source content and desired output target content. Data conveyed about the source and target content may include parameters such as physical and/or logical addresses, coding and compression parameters, format descriptions, content size, description of auxiliary services, and other metadata elements that may be required for coding and formatting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Comcast IP Holdings, I, LLC
    Inventors: William D. Swart, John S. McCoskey, Michael L. Asmussen
  • Publication number: 20120330889
    Abstract: A remote content crawler continually crawls a digital communication network looking for content to provide to a content aggregator, The content provided to the aggregator may be stored in a form of an entire content file. The content may include an entire movie, television program or electronic book. Alternatively, the content provided to the aggregator may be a reference to a content file that is stored at, or that will he available at one of the remote locations. The content may be a reference to a future, scheduled live sports event that will be made available to system users. The sports event may be provided for a one time fee, as part of a sports package, for which a fee is collected, or as a free event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Comcast IP Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: William D. Swart, Michael L. Asmussen, John S. McCoskey
  • Publication number: 20120278312
    Abstract: The present invention utilizes an aggregator for searching, packaging and delivering content. The aggregator processes requests, searches, provides search results and acquires content. The aggregator, operating in a communications network, includes a request and results processing server, a search engine server coupled to the request and results processing server and a content acquisition server coupled to the request and results processing server. A request and results processing server receives a request for content, the search engine server searches for the content and the content acquisition program acquires content for delivery to the user. The request and results processing server includes a search request processor that receives information related to a user's search request and provides the information to a search results form builder that creates an electronic search request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: COMCAST IP HOLDINGS I, LLC
    Inventors: John S. McCoskey, William D. Swart, Michael L. Asmussen
  • Patent number: 8285701
    Abstract: A remote content crawler continually crawls a digital communication network looking for content to provide to a content aggregator. The content provided to the aggregator may be stored in a form of an entire content file. The content may include an entire movie, television program or electronic book. Alternatively, the content provided to the aggregator may be a reference to a content file that is stored at, or that will be available at one of the remote locations. The content may be a reference to a future, scheduled live sports event that will be made available to system users. The sports event may be provided for a one time fee, as part of a sports package, for which a fee is collected, or as a free event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Comcast IP Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: William D. Swart, Michael L. Asmussen, John S. McCoskey
  • Patent number: 8245259
    Abstract: The present invention utilizes an aggregator for searching, packaging and delivering content. The aggregator processes requests, searches, provides search results and acquires content. The aggregator, operating in a communications network, includes a request and results processing server, a search engine server coupled to the request and results processing server and a content acquisition server coupled to the request and results processing server. A request and results processing server receives a request for content, the search engine server searches for the content and the content acquisition program acquires content for delivery to the user. The request and results processing server includes a search request processor that receives information related to a user's search request and provides the information to a search results form builder that creates an electronic search request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Comcast IP Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: John S. McCoskey, William D. Swart, Michael L. Asmussen
  • Publication number: 20110085080
    Abstract: A video and digital multimedia aggregator includes a content decoder, coder (codec) and formatter. The codec formatter receives coding and formatting requests that characterize input source content and desired output target content. Data conveyed about the source and target content may include parameters such as physical and/or logical addresses, coding and compression parameters, format descriptions, content size, description of auxiliary services, and other metadata elements that may be required for coding and formatting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: COMCAST IP HOLDINGS I, LLC
    Inventors: William D. Swart, John S. McCoskey, Michael L. Asmussen
  • Patent number: 7908628
    Abstract: A video and digital multimedia aggregator includes a content decoder, coder (codec) and formatter. The codec formatter receives coding and formatting requests that characterize input source content and desired output target content. Data conveyed about the source and target content may include parameters such as physical and/or logical addresses, coding and compression parameters, format descriptions, content size, description of auxiliary services, and other metadata elements that may be required for coding and formatting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Comcast IP Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: William D. Swart, John S. McCoskey, Michael L. Asmussen
  • Publication number: 20100313215
    Abstract: The present invention utilizes an aggregator for searching, packaging and delivering content. The aggregator processes requests, searches, provides search results and acquires content. The aggregator, operating in a communications network, includes a request and results processing server, a search engine server coupled to the request and results processing server and a content acquisition server coupled to the request and results processing server. A request and results processing server receives a request for content, the search engine server searches for the content and the content acquisition program acquires content for delivery to the user. The request and results processing server includes a search request processor that receives information related to a user's search request and provides the information to a search results form builder that creates an electronic search request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: COMCAST IP HOLDINGS I, LLC
    Inventors: John S. McCoskey, William D. Swart, Michael L. Asmussen
  • Patent number: 7793326
    Abstract: The present invention utilizes an aggregator for searching, packaging and delivering content. The aggregator processes requests, searches, provides search results and acquires content. The aggregator, operating in a communications network, includes a request and results processing server, a search engine server coupled to the request and results processing server and a content acquisition server coupled to the request and results processing server. A request and results processing server receives a request for content, the search engine server searches for the content and the content acquisition program acquires content for delivery to the user. The request and results processing server includes a search request processor that receives information related to a user's search request and provides the information to a search results form builder that creates an electronic search request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Comcast IP Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: John S. McCoskey, William D. Swart, Michael L. Asmussen
  • Publication number: 20030028884
    Abstract: An aggregator, operating in a digital communications network, includes a request and results processing server, a search engine server coupled to the request and results processing server and a content acquisition server coupled to the request and results processing server. A request and results processing server receives a request for content, the search engine server searches for the content and the content acquisition program acquires content for delivery to the user. The request and results processing server includes a search request processor that receives information related to a user's search request and provides the information to a search results form builder that creates an electronic search request. The search request may be augmented by using a content suggestion engine to add additional search terms and descriptions to the search request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: William D. Swart, John S. McCoskey, Michael L. Asmussen
  • Publication number: 20030025832
    Abstract: A video and digital multimedia aggregator includes a content decoder, coder (codec) and formatter. The codec formatter receives coding and formatting requests that characterize input source content and desired output target content. Data conveyed about the source and target content may include parameters such as physical and/or logical addresses, coding and compression parameters, format descriptions, content size, description of auxiliary services, and other metadata elements that may be required for coding and formatting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: William D. Swart, John S. McCoskey, Michael L. Asmussen
  • Publication number: 20030028890
    Abstract: An aggregator, operating in a digital communications network, includes a request and results processing server, a search engine server coupled to the request and results processing server and a content acquisition server coupled to the request and results processing server. A request and results processing server receives a request for content, the search engine server searches for the content and the content acquisition program acquires content for delivery to the user. The request and results processing server includes a search request processor that receives information related to a user's search request and provides the information to a search results form builder that creates an electronic search request. The search request may be augmented by using a content suggestion engine to add additional search terms and descriptions to the search request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: William D. Swart, John S. McCoskey, Michael L. Asmussen