Patents Assigned to NBCUniversal Media, LLC
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Patent number: 9930344Abstract: Digital content, such as movies, television productions, and the like are processed and delivered based upon digital masters. The masters may be produced as the initial content, or any other content may be digitized to create the masters. An HD full aperture version is used to create a reduced set of masters that can be used to fill orders having a wide range of features and options. The HD full aperture version is combined with pan and scanned instructions parsed from original pan and scan files to permit automatic creation of the basic masters used to fill the orders, such as a letter box version, a 16:9 FF version, and a 4:3 FF version. The derived masters may be HD versions or SD versions. Upon receipt of orders, the proper version is selected and assembled with any other components that may be ordered by the customer. Ingestion of the masters may be delayed until order reception, and transcoding of the original master may also be delayed until order reception.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA, LLCInventors: John Christopher Gianutsos, Tyler John Knight, Harvey Landy, David C. Pugh
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Patent number: 9913001Abstract: Systems and methods for generating segmented content based on related ranking information are disclosed. Some embodiments include indexing audio information of primary content based on a first plurality of time segments, where the indexed audio information includes a plurality of audio identifiers; indexing video information of the primary content based on a second plurality of time segments, where the indexed video information includes a plurality of video identifiers, obtaining secondary data related to the primary content from an external source, generating identifying information corresponding to the secondary data and comparing the generated identifying information with the indexed audio information and video information, increasing a rank value associated with a segment of the primary content, and generating a media file corresponding to a segment associated with a highest rank value and storing the generated media file in a memory.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: NBCUniversal Media, LLCInventors: Jon Dakss, Fielding Kidd, Michael Ibrahim
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Publication number: 20180063228Abstract: According to some aspects described herein, a system may determine whether a network actor appears to be using an intermediary such as a VPN and/or proxy server. This may be accomplished by directing the network actor to request and/or access a network-segment identification resource which may, in some embodiments, be stored in another region of the global network. The system may include links and/or other identifiers pointing the network actor to one or more network-segment identification resources. The network actor may access the network-segment identification resources using the links or identifiers, and the system may use information about the request for the network-segment identification resource to determine whether the network actor is associated with multiple source addresses.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2017Publication date: March 1, 2018Applicants: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC, NBCUniversal Media, LLCInventors: Robert Glenn Deen, Antony Tauber
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Patent number: 9898593Abstract: A method and system for identifying a source of a copied work that in one embodiment includes obtaining at least some portions of a reference work, collecting at least some portions of the suspect work, matching the suspect work with the reference work, wherein the matching includes temporally aligning one or more frames of the reference work and the suspect work, spatially aligning frames of the reference work and the suspect work, and detecting forensic marks in the suspect work by spatiotemporal matching with the reference work.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2014Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: NBCUniversal Media, LLCInventors: Zhaohui Harry Sun, Catherine Mary Graichen, Corey Nicholas Bufi, Anthony James Hoogs, Aaron Shaw Markham, Budhaditya Deb, Roderic Greene Collins, Michael Shane Wilkinson, Anthony Christopher Anderson, Jenny Marie Weisenberg Williams
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Patent number: 9881584Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting two-dimensional (2D) content within a virtual reality (VR) presentation are disclosed. Some embodiments include providing the VR presentation to a user, receiving information of the 2D content for display during the VR presentation from an external source and obtaining location information related to a display location within the VR presentation for displaying the 2D content. The 2D content may be displayed at the display location based on the received information and the location information, wherein the display location corresponds to a 2D display rendered within the VR presentation.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignees: NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA, LLC, COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLCInventors: Jonathan Dakss, Ali A. Khorram, Samuel Harrell
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Publication number: 20180025504Abstract: A method for generating virtual reality (VR) content includes obtaining source information from original media content. retrieving characteristic information stored in a first memory based on the obtained source information wherein the retrieved characteristic information related to the original media content, generating the VR content by combining the retrieved characteristics information and the obtained source information, wherein at least one feature of the retrieved characteristic information is mapped to a corresponding at least one feature of the obtained source information, and outputting the generated VR content and the original media content to be reproduced to a viewer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2017Publication date: January 25, 2018Applicant: NBCUniversal Media, LLCInventor: THOMAS BAUSE MASON
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Patent number: 9872081Abstract: A selected spatial portion of digital base content is selected, and one or more alternative content objects is selected to replace the spatial portion. The spatial portion may comprise less than a full frame of the base content, although it may span multiple frames, and may move within the successive frames. The replacement may occur before or after distribution of the content. The selections may be made based upon knowledge of general or specific audiences. The selections may facilitate bandwidth or processing, allow for product placements, or generally enhance the audience experience.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2014Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: NBCUniversal Media, LLCInventors: Yasser Fouad Syed, Thomas Bause Mason, Danial Elliott Holden, Sheau Bao Ng
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Patent number: 9866788Abstract: Automated, algorithmic quality control is performed for digital content converted from one form or format to another. Such conversion may be made of movies, television programs, feature films, advertisements, or any other content. The conversion process may be semi or fully automated, and may include a range of alterations, such as pulldown or frame rate conversions, size and/or resolution conversions, addition of content, deletion of content, and so forth. Actual content contained in pre- and post-converted frames is utilized, such as by image recognition techniques, as a base for the quality control routines. Audio data may also be considered. The quality control is fully or nearly fully automated with minimal manual involvement.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2014Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: NBCUniversal Media, LLCInventor: Harvey Landy
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Publication number: 20180007448Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling related video content based on domain specific language models are disclosed. Some embodiments include one or more processors configured to obtain a first audio information of first video content, identify first primary time codes based on the first audio information, obtain second audio information of second video content and identify a first secondary plurality of time codes based on the second audio information, determine an amount of differences between the first primary time codes and first secondary time codes, and generate information indicating whether the first video content and the second video content are related based on the determined amount of differences.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2016Publication date: January 4, 2018Applicant: NBCUniversal Media, LLCInventors: Gaurav Gupta, William R. Beckett
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Patent number: 9820013Abstract: According to one embodiment, a content distribution method includes: generating a security identifier associated with content; storing the security identifier to be associated with metadata related to the content; providing the content and the security identifier to a receiving entity; and receiving a metadata request from the receiving entity, wherein the metadata request corresponds to the metadata related to the content.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2014Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA, LLCInventor: Matthew McKenna
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Patent number: 9819983Abstract: A digital content distribution scheme allows for monitoring of a wide range of data, such as system and behavior events of audiences and playback devices, as well as environmental factors, such as those present at the playback venue. More “static” data may be considered, such as subscriptions, settings, bandwidth, and the like. Based upon the data considered, real or near-real time changes in the content provided to audiences may be made. The changes may be based upon predictions of audience interest made by prediction engine. The techniques may also allow for time-shifting and adaptation of content based upon playback times.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2014Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: NBCUniversal Media, LLCInventors: Mark David Francisco, Robert Gregory Dandrea, Sheau Bao Ng, Myra Einstein
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Patent number: 9811911Abstract: A method for generating virtual reality (VR) content includes obtaining source information from original media content. retrieving characteristic information stored in a first memory based on the obtained source information wherein the retrieved characteristic information related to the original media content, generating the VR content by combining the retrieved characteristics information and the obtained source information, wherein at least one feature of the retrieved characteristic information is mapped to a corresponding at least one feature of the obtained source information, and outputting the generated VR content and the original media content to be reproduced to a viewer.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: NBCUniversal Media, LLCInventor: Thomas Bause Mason
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Patent number: 9813488Abstract: According to some aspects described herein, a system may determine whether a network actor appears to be using an intermediary such as a VPN and/or proxy server. This may be accomplished by directing the network actor to request and/or access a network-segment identification resource which may, in some embodiments, be stored in another region of the global network. The system may include links and/or other identifiers pointing the network actor to one or more network-segment identification resources. The network actor may access the network-segment identification resources using the links or identifiers, and the system may use information about the request for the network-segment identification resource to determine whether the network actor is associated with multiple source addresses.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignees: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC, NBCUniversal Media, LLCInventors: Robert Glenn Deen, Antony Tauber
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Patent number: 9794625Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting actionable program performance information correlated with content are disclosed. A method includes obtaining primary content information related to first content distributed to a plurality of viewers during a particular time duration; obtaining secondary content information related to the first content, wherein the secondary content information includes information identified based on the first content; obtaining activity information of the plurality of viewers of the first content during the particular time duration; determining a plurality of activity component information corresponding to a plurality of activity categories; storing the plurality of activity component information to be associated with the first content; and displaying data of at least one of the plurality of activity component information at a first time point along with the first content.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2015Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: NBCUniversal Media, LLCInventors: Michael Caruana, Cameron Davies, Jason Gilbertson, Moinul Haque
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Patent number: 9794269Abstract: A computer implemented method for generating a receipt. The method includes, accessing a universal digital fingerprint associated with an item of content, wherein the fingerprint is invariant across one or more formats of the item of content. The method includes accessing an identification value by the processor. The method includes generating a digital token by cryptographically binding the digital fingerprint and the identification value, wherein the digital token is invariant across the one or more formats of the item of content. The method further includes associating the digital token with at least one right to the item of content.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2013Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: NBCUniversal Media, LLCInventors: Robert Glenn Deen, Michael Shane Wilkinson
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Patent number: 9774915Abstract: A method for presenting media with dynamic content to a first user includes obtaining information related to a current playback position on a playback timeline being presented to the first user, obtaining secondary content related to the media and associated with a second user, wherein the first user and second user are associated according to a third party database, storing the obtained secondary content in a memory, and generating and transmitting instructions for displaying a first indicator of the secondary content at a first position on the playback timeline to the first user, wherein the first position corresponds to a first timestamp associated with the secondary content.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2016Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: NBCUniversal Media, LLCInventors: Bill Mandel, Erica Marie Dionne
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Patent number: 9747946Abstract: A method for communication is described. The method includes providing a channel configured for collecting and editing video associated with a topic. The method includes identifying a plurality of potential parties connected with the topic. The method includes pushing a plurality of invitations to the plurality of potential parties, wherein each invitation comprises a request to join the channel. The method includes receiving a plurality of video feeds on the channel from a plurality of contributors each accepting a corresponding invitation. The method includes editing the plurality of video feeds to generate an edited video.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2013Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: NBCUniversal Media, LLCInventor: Philip Groman
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Patent number: 9727753Abstract: A digital file is associated with a security attribute related to watermarking criteria. The digital file content is encrypted, and may not be decrypted by a receiving computer unless the watermarking criteria is met. The receiving computer may decrypt only the encrypted portion of the security attribute unless the watermarking criteria are continuously met at the receiving computer. Improved security and reduction of pirating of the digital content is therefore provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2013Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: NBCUniversal Media, LLCInventors: Jeffrey Edward Taylor, Patrick Pearce Cusack
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Patent number: 9727566Abstract: A content adaptation method includes: obtaining a primary metadata profile associated with a particular time point of primary content; obtaining secondary metadata profiles each associated with corresponding secondary content of a plurality of secondary content; identifying one of the plurality of secondary content associated with a secondary metadata profile having a desired similarity value with the primary metadata profile associated with the primary content; and matching the identified secondary content with the particular time point of the primary content.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2014Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignees: NBCUniversal Media, LLC, Comcast Cable Communications, LLC, Agency for Science, Technology and ResearchInventors: Sheau Ng, Jeffrey Reale, Shannon McKenzie, Yau Wei Yun, Sujoy Roy, Kong Wah Wan, Mohammad Khalid Bin Ahmad
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Patent number: 9721263Abstract: A system is described that implements symmetrical object profiles across one or more objects, wherein an object profile is influenced by other object profiles with which it interacts. In particular, the system includes a configuration for a first object profile that is associated with a first object, wherein the first object profile comprises a set of attributes having a first set of valuations. The system includes a configuration for a second object profile that is associated with a second object, wherein the second object profile comprises said set of attributes having a second set of valuations. The system includes a profile updater for managing the first object profile and the second object profile, wherein in a transaction involving the first and second objects, corresponding object profiles are updated based on valuations in the first and second set of valuations.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2012Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: NBCUniversal Media, LLCInventor: Pavel A Fort