Patents Examined by Jivka Rabovianski
  • Patent number: 11272248
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying which video segment is being displayed on a screen of a television system. The video segment is identified by deriving data from the television signals, the derived data being indicative of the video segment being displayed on file screen. This feature can be used to extract a viewer's reaction (such as changing the channel) to a specific video segment (such as an advertisement) and reporting the extracted information as metrics. The systems and methods may further provide contextually targeted content to the television system. The contextual targeting is based on not only identification of the video segment being displayed, but also a determination concerning the playing time or offset time of the particular portion of the video segment being currently displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: INSCAPE DATA, INC.
    Inventors: Zeev Neumeier, Edo Liberty
  • Patent number: 11272231
    Abstract: Provided is a method for transmitting a broadcast signal. The method for transmitting a broadcast signal, according to the present invention, can be a broadcast content transmitting method, comprising the steps of: generating, by a first module, a first media stream for broadcast content wherein the first media stream includes a plurality of packets, and at least one of the packets includes time information; generating, by a second module, a second media stream for the broadcast content; transmitting, by a third module, the first media stream through a broadcast network; receiving, by a fourth module, a request for the second media stream from a receiver; and transmitting, by the fourth module, the second media stream to the receiver through the Internet network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jangwon Lee, Sejin Oh, Woosuk Ko, Kyoungsoo Moon, Sungryong Hong
  • Patent number: 11259084
    Abstract: A system that handles delivery of a service through a client device or a secondary device paired with the client device, includes an interactive service provider and the client device. The interactive service provider inserts at least one of digital watermarks, fingerprints, and trigger identifiers at event opportunities in media content. The client device detects at least one of the inserted digital watermarks, the digital fingerprints, and the inserted trigger identifiers in the media content. The client device further renders overlay graphics on the media content and activates at least one of input devices in vicinity of the client device or the rendered overlay graphics. The client device receives trigger responses over an activated overlay graphic, via the activated input devices. The client device further displays an interactive view on the client device, to enable delivery of services in response to the received trigger responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Jude Loheide, Matthew Paul Giles, Gregory Mcclain Stigall, Nishith Kumar Sinha, Cindy Loren Campbell, James J Arnzen, Nicolas Paul Webb
  • Patent number: 11240539
    Abstract: Technologies are provided for reporting engaged impressions of directed content. Some embodiments include a computing device that can initiate a screensaver session within a content streaming service. The computing device also can cause presentation of a directed content asset on a display device functionally coupled to the computing device. The computing device can then update a queue to add a record of an impression of the directed content asset, where the queue is retained in a memory device of the computing device. The computing device can receive a signal indicative of user activity. The computing device can determine, using the queue, that the impression of the directed content asset occurred within a defined time interval relative to a time that the user activity occurred. The computing device can then send data identifying the directed content asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Salil Joshi, Ala Kallel, Yi Yao, Garrett Alan Dargan
  • Patent number: 11233868
    Abstract: A method and system of multimedia streaming services using DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) are disclosed. According to this method, one or more Push Directives are sent from a client to a server to indicate information related to media data requested. Each Push Directive comprises a Push type including Push-rate and Push-rate Directive includes information associated with a push data rate related to the media data requested. If the Push-rate Directive is received by the server, one or more groups of data for the media data requested are pushed from the server to the client according to the push data rate. According to another method, fragmented MPDS are used, where at least one fragmented MPD omits a MPD header, MPD payload, Period header or Period payload. In yet another method, a status message group includes SharedResourceAllocation message that comprises parameters including bandwidth and pacingRate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: MediaTek Inc.
    Inventors: Lulin Chen, Shan Liu, Wang-Lin Lai
  • Patent number: 11234035
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for receiving a hybrid broadcast service and a method for transmitting the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sejin Oh, Kyoungsoo Moon
  • Patent number: 11228808
    Abstract: A system that handles delivery of a service through a client device or a secondary device paired with the client device, includes an interactive service provider and the client device. The interactive service provider inserts at least one of digital watermarks, fingerprints, and trigger identifiers at event opportunities in media content. The client device detects at least one of the inserted digital watermarks, the digital fingerprints, and the inserted trigger identifiers in the media content. The client device further renders overlay graphics on the media content and activates at least one of input devices in vicinity of the client device or the rendered overlay graphics. The client device receives trigger responses over an activated overlay graphic, via the activated input devices. The client device further displays an interactive view on the client device, to enable delivery of services in response to the received trigger responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Jude Loheide, Matthew Paul Giles, Gregory Mcclain Stigall, Nishith Kumar Sinha, Cindy Loren Campbell, James J Arnzen, Nicolas Paul Webb
  • Patent number: 11223871
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for automatically navigating a graphical user interface (GUI) of a media device. In embodiments, objects (e.g. selectable items) in device GUI menu screens may be located, identified, and selected by another device (e.g., a switch) using several types of image processing, image recognition, and automated screen navigation techniques. For instance, a device may receive an operation request, for example from a user, receive a video signal from the connected media device, extract a video frame, process the video frame using one or more algorithms, and automatically navigate the GUI of the device by transmitting one more navigation commands for application to the GUI. In this manner, multi-step, time-consuming manual GUI navigation to achieve a desired result may be reduced to an automated technique, allowing users to save time and frustration in navigating a GUI using a remote control to find a particular resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Caavo Inc
    Inventors: Sharath Hariharpur Satheesh, Bitto Niclavose, Vinod K. Gopinath, Neha Mittal, Siddharth Kumar, Ashish D. Aggarwal
  • Patent number: 11223854
    Abstract: The problem is solved by a method for broadcasting a broadcast signal, comprising generating an information signal having in time a first content up to a certain time and a second content after this time. The information signal is broadcast as a broadcast signal via a first communication link. At least one first feature is being provided with respect to the second content, for example an advertisement. The second content is detected in the information signal using the at least one first feature. On detection of the second content in the information signal at least one second feature is extracted from the first content in the information signal preceding the second content. The at least one second feature is sent to a user device using a second communication link, different from the first communication link, the second communication link being faster than the first communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: TELETRAX B.V.
    Inventors: Alex Dick Terpstra, Jaap Andre Haitsma, Martijn Maas
  • Patent number: 11216828
    Abstract: Total advertising inventory of a broadcast station can be dynamically allocated between local, or station-sold, inventory and general, or network, inventory. The portion of total inventory allocated to local inventory or network inventory can be adjusted based on feedback from an advertising service, and a broadcast log can be generated based on the adjusted allocation. The broadcast log can be delivered to a media automation system associated with a media station which plays out local inventory in accordance with the broadcast log. When the broadcast log indicates that general/network inventory is to be broadcast, the media automation system stops playing-out local inventory, and allows the advertisement system to broadcast network inventory for a period of time indicated by the broadcast log. Broadcast of local inventory can be resumed early, before the time period indicated in the broadcast log has expired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Lee Littlejohn, Daniel N. MacTiernan, Amit Aggarwal, Patricia D. Roberts, Kathleen Brougham, Jeffrey Joseph Augustyn
  • Patent number: 11172245
    Abstract: A technique is described for generating a unified list (e.g., a list ribbon) of programs from a variety and disparate channels, the list for display on an over-the-top (OTT) client device. As an example, the unified list can be generated from OTT live channels and from over-the-air OTA and/or Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) live channels. Further, the unified list can include OTT recordings on the cloud and OTA/ATSC recordings on the local hard drive connected to an OTA local DVR. Thus, the OTT device Client obtains the list from the DVR backend, instead of going to the local OTA client box for the local recordings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignees: DISH Network L.L.C., Sling Media PVT. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jayaprakash Ramaraj, Girish Reddivari, Shailesh Deshmukh, Edward Galbraith, James Davis, Satheesh Haryhara Iyer
  • Patent number: 11172262
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for interactive control of live television broadcast streams. The method includes receiving a streaming live media feed (103) from a television broadcaster (102) and displaying an overlay (212) on media content (M) of the streaming live media feed (103). The overlay (212) includes a play control option unassociated with an intermediary feed source of the live media feed between the television broadcaster and the media device (115). The method further includes receiving a first selection input of the play control option and determining that the selection input corresponds to a play mode at a first location within the media content (M) of the streaming live media feed by determining that a first fingerprint (128, 208, 306) fails to match a second fingerprint (128, 208, 306). Furthermore, the method includes overlaying targeted overlay content on the streaming live media feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Grover
  • Patent number: 11159855
    Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking the status of an anticipated dynamic event and displaying a corresponding notification icon on a media progress indicator. A media guidance application receives, from an application (e.g., Uber), a notification (e.g., “Driver Found”) during consumption of a media asset (e.g., “Fast and Furious”) and determines that an expected event without a fixed time of occurrence will happen (e.g., arrival of driver at user's location). The media guidance application determines an anticipated time of the expected event and generate a visual icon representing the expected event on the media asset's consumption progress indicator at the anticipated time relative to the consumption (e.g., 56-minute mark of the movie). As updated information (e.g., traffic, driver's route, etc.) is received, the media guidance application recalculates the anticipated time and shift the visual icon based on the new calculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: ROVI GUIDES, INC.
    Inventor: David D. Shoop
  • Patent number: 11140450
    Abstract: A media guidance application may monitor a conversation among users, and identify keywords in the conversation, without the use of wakewords. The keywords are used to search for media content that is relevant to the on-going conversation. Accordingly, the media guidance application presents relevant content to the users, during the conversation, to more actively engage the users. A conversation monitoring window may be used to present conversation information as well as relevant content. A listening mode may be used to manage when the media guidance application processes speech from a conversation. The media guidance application may access user profiles for keywords, select content types, select content sources, and determine relevancy of media content, to provide content in context of a conversation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: ROVI GUIDES, INC.
    Inventors: Alexis Yelton, Abhijeet Sharma, Peter Boonstra
  • Patent number: 11134284
    Abstract: Devices, computer-readable media, and methods for presenting segments of at least one video program in accordance with a definition document are disclosed. For example, a processor may load a definition document for at least one video program. The definition document may specify segments of the at least one video program for presentation and further specify segment types for the segments. The segment types may identify whether a segment is to include video content, include audio content, or include both video and audio content. The processor may further obtain the at least one video program, present a first segment of the at least one video program in accordance with the definition document, and present a second segment of the plurality of segments of the at least one video program in accordance with the definition document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Lee, Brady Court Tsurutani
  • Patent number: 11128897
    Abstract: A method for initiating a transmission of a program stream for delivery from a local access point to a client device, said program stream being structured as a plurality of regular segments relating to a single event. This method comprises the steps of: (a) processing at least one of the regular segments into a set of particular segments, where the at least one regular segment carries a payload of a first playback duration and the payload of said set represents a second playback duration that is greater than that of the first playback duration, and where the second playback duration is sufficient to comply with a client device requirement for initiating a rendering of the event, and (b) transmitting, during an initial period, from the local access point said set of particular segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: NAGRAVISION S.A.
    Inventors: Laurent Piron, Frederic Thomas, Martin Gibson
  • Patent number: 11122328
    Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can transfer a playback queue between the computing device and a playback device. For example, the computing device can detect when the computing device is within a threshold distance of a playback device. The computing device can establish a connection to the playback device and receive state information describing the media playback state of the playback device. The computing device can determine the media playback state of the computing device. The computing device can present graphical user interfaces for initiating a transfer of a playback queue between the computing device and the playback device based on the playback state of the devices. The computing device can initiate a transfer of the playback queue in response to user input to one of the graphical user interfaces or automatically based on the context of the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Graham, Taylor G. Carrigan, Nicholas J. Paulson, Johannes P. Schmidt, Thomas Alsina, Bob Bradley, Haishan Ye, James C. Grandy, Pierre De Lastic, Julien Lerouge
  • Patent number: 11115699
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are provided for communicating multimedia content over a service provider network. A network server may receive an audio-video stream from a content provider server, relaying the audio-video stream to a receiver device via the service provider network, receive an operating mode notification identifying a user behavior from the receiver device, and ceasing the relaying of the audio-video stream to the receiver device based on the user behavior. The network server may also alter the audio-video stream based on the received operating mode notification and send the altered audio-video stream to the receiver device via the service provider network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC
    Inventors: Jian Yu, David Chen, Vipul Patel, Kenneth Gould
  • Patent number: 11109089
    Abstract: A system and method for providing bitrate control for delivering media content to a plurality of virtual display (VD) screens presented in a virtual reality (VR) environment effectuated by a VR device of a subscriber based on detecting a movement in a point of view with respect the VD screens' placement within the VR environment, wherein each VD screen is configured to receive a media content channel. Responsive to detecting the movement, angular distance of each of the VD screens relative to a reference axis is computed. Weights to each of the media content channels may be assigned or updated based on the angular distance of the corresponding VD screens relative to the reference axis. Media content channels on the VD screens outside the subscriber's field of view may be time-shifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventors: Chris Phillips, Robert Hammond Forsman, Jennifer Ann Reynolds, Charles Hammett Dasher
  • Patent number: 11076195
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for automatically navigating a graphical user interface (GUI) of a media device. In embodiments, objects (e.g. selectable items) in device GUI menu screens may be located, identified, and selected by another device (e.g., a switch) using several types of image processing, image recognition, and automated screen navigation techniques. For instance, a device may receive an operation request, for example from a user, receive a video signal from the connected media device, extract a video frame, process the video frame using one or more algorithms, and automatically navigate the GUI of the device by transmitting one more navigation commands for application to the GUI. In this manner, multi-step, time-consuming manual GUI navigation to achieve a desired result may be reduced to an automated technique, allowing users to save time and frustration in navigating a GUI using a remote control to find a particular resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Caavo Inc
    Inventors: Sharath Hariharpur Satheesh, Bitto Niclavose, Vinod K. Gopinath, Neha Mittal, Siddharth Kumar, Ashish D. Aggarwal