Patents Examined by Kieu-Oanh T Bui
  • Patent number: 9860587
    Abstract: Methods and systems for receiving an interruption-free version of a television program for recording on a user equipment device. In one aspect, a device receives from a server a first stream including a television program. The device receives user input to record the television program. The device identifies a recording channel identifier for the first stream. The device initiates a recording of the television program based on the recording channel identifier for the first stream. The device receives from the server an instruction to switch recording of the television program from the first stream to a second stream. The device receives from the server the second stream including the television program. The device identifies a recording channel identifier for the second stream. The device switches the recording of the television program to the second stream based on the recording channel identifier for the second stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Thomas Ward, Arevik Chimayan, Walter R. Klappert
  • Patent number: 9860591
    Abstract: A cable television (CATV) entry adapter interfaces to a CATV network and serves as a hub in an in-home network for passively communicating multimedia content or information from the CATV network and between subscriber devices connected to the ports of the CATV entry adapter, using CATV signals in a CATV frequency band and network signals in a different in-home network band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: PPC BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Chad T. Wells, John M. Egan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9838760
    Abstract: A media network platform is disclosed. The media network platform utilizes a computing device comprising at least one memory for storing instructions that are executed by at least one processor. Media data is retrieved from at least one data source. A plurality of media segments are created from the media data with each of the media segments being independently playable. A plurality of unique identifiers is assigned to each of the respective media segments. A request is received to transmit a media segment of the plurality of media segments for playback with the request including information about a unique identifier assigned to the media segment. The media segment is transmitted using the unique identifier. The media segment comprises a portion of a video derived from the media data and comprises any specific time interval of the video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Adolph Seema, Martin Reisslein
  • Patent number: 9820005
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides an interactive, multi-platform video network. In another aspect, the invention provides a dynamic scheduling method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: MUSIC CHOICE
    Inventors: Stephen D. Malaby, Bryan J. Leblanc, Dow Seng Lam, Mateti Siva Ram, Ivan Fokin, Peter H. D. Glenn, Robert A. Decker, Fei Wan, Qingrui Liu, Angelica Casey, Alan Christopher Hummel, Kevin Todd Boone
  • Patent number: 9813781
    Abstract: A method, system, or device determine when media content is to be displayed. The method can include receiving media content on a broadcast channel from a content feed. The method can also include receiving an identifier for upcoming media content from an automatic content recognition (ACR) system in response to a trigger event. The method can include receiving overlay content from an overlay content server. The method can include storing the overlay content at a memory device. The method can include determining a time that the media content is to be displayed using the identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Sorenson Media, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Ashbacher
  • Patent number: 9788050
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for determining a tag based on an interaction of a mobile device with a media processor. The tag is associated with a number of options of video content received at the media processor. A request is determined from the media processor for the number of options of video content associated with the tag. A transfer of the plurality of options of video content is initiated from a video source to the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James Pratt, Steven M. Belz, Marc Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9774891
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing a call to action at the end of a resource. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request for media content to present on a user device, the request including a second request for third-party content to present with the media content, identifying, user device capabilities that describes information about system compatibility for the user device, determining third-party content to present with the media, the third-party content including a first presentation time duration indicative of a length of time the third-party content is presented, determining that an end cap is compatible with the user device and related to the third-party content, the end cap providing an interactive opportunity to request subsequent resources for the user device, and transmitting data to present the third-party content, the end cap, and the media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Avi Fein, Vipul Vinod Thakur, John Hicks, James Daniel McEvoy, Omair Malik
  • Patent number: 9749688
    Abstract: There is provided a system comprising a non-transitory memory storing an executable code and a hardware processor executing the executable code to receive first viewing data for a media content including a first total viewing time of the media content on a first viewing platform, receive a total possible number of viewers and a first audience composition percentage of a first audience viewing the media content on the first viewing platform, determine a first ratio by dividing the first total viewing time of the media content on the first viewing platform by a duration of the media content for the first viewing platform, and calculate a first platform rating for the media content by multiplying the first ratio by the first audience composition percentage and a first co-viewing factor and dividing by the total possible number of viewers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian West, Lisa Heimann
  • Patent number: 9743141
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for a viewing condition probability calculator. The viewing condition probability calculator enumerates a list of all viewing combinations for a tuning event, for a number of people N at a location. A probability for each of the viewing combinations is determined, using an independent probability of viewing for each of the N people at the location. A probability of a viewing condition is determined using the probabilities of a first set of viewing combinations that have a first common characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Michael Sheppard, Jonathan Sullivan, Peter Lipa, Alejandro Terrazas
  • Patent number: 9736397
    Abstract: A system for performing closed captioning enables a caption prepared remotely by a captioner to be repositioned by someone other than the captioner, such as by a program originator. This capability is particularly useful when, for example, the program originator wishes to include a banner in a video but also wishes to avoid having a closed caption interfere with the banner. In one illustrative system, the program originator is a broadcast station that includes a conventional encoder and a broadcast station computer. In one arrangement, control data generated at the station computer is incorporated into the caption data by the station computer. In another arrangement, the control data is sent from the station computer to the captioner computer, which incorporates the control data into the caption data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: VITAC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Umberto Lenzi, Wesley Long
  • Patent number: 9736730
    Abstract: Wireless video download rates are optimized by receiving, at a system with a computer that includes a processor and memory, a request to provide a piece of video content over a wireless network. The processor of the computer is used to determine whether to provide the video content at a first option that is as soon as possible or at a second option over a specified interval T. The interval T is calculated as a time for a destination device to download the video content at a rate level higher than encoding for the video content requires. Upon determining to provide the video content over the interval T, the video content is provided over the wireless network over the interval T to a client device that requested the piece of video content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Emir Halepovic, Kadangode K Ramakrishnan, Jeffrey Erman
  • Patent number: 9712859
    Abstract: A device may receive a segment of media content, and may store the segment in a first location local to the device. The device may generate a playlist, for accessing the media content, that includes a first segment identifier that identifies the first location local to the device. The device may determine that the first segment identifier is to be replaced with a second segment identifier that identifies a second location, remote from the device, from which the segment is accessible. The device may replace, in the playlist, the first segment identifier with the second segment identifier based on determining that the first segment identifier is to be replaced with the second segment identifier. The device may delete the segment from the first location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.
    Inventors: Sameer Gavade, Sanjay Ahuja, Venkata S. Adimatyam
  • Patent number: 9706242
    Abstract: An improved image display system configured to receive and display content, including one or more images and/or parametric data, associated with the flight trajectory of an aircraft is described herein. At least one or more images of the sky and/or earth may be retrieved and stored in an aircraft. Based on the location of the aircraft, the image display system selects a subset of the one or more stored images and displays the subset of the one or more images to at least one interior surface in the aircraft such that passengers may experience the imagery of the open sky or earth while in-flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Stephen Gregory Dame, Yakentim M. Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 9693115
    Abstract: Described herein is a system and method of ad targeting that automatically matches advertisements to media based on the demographic signatures of each. The method and system include calculating a match score between historical buyer demographics and media demographics. Media which is similar to the demographic of the product buyers is targeted for advertising.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: ADAP.TV, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendan Kitts, Brian Burdick, Dyng Au, Tyson Roberts
  • Patent number: 9693096
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method in which a media processor identifies a first key and a second key associated with media content received over a network, and prepares a display object according to the first key that includes a selectable object. The media processor transmits a request to a remote server including the second key; the server returns first additional content and control code associated with the second key. The media processor merges the first additional content with the display object to produce an overlay for presentation with the media content in accordance with the control code. The overlay is associated with a provider of the first additional content; the first key is independent of the provider, and the second key corresponds to the provider. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Di Bernardo, Anthony Bonvolanta
  • Patent number: 9686575
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for systems and methods for digital library channel creation. The disclosed methods and systems utilize a user's digital media library to create and/or simulate one or more broadcast channels for viewing by the user. Channels may be created randomly or according to particular preferences set by the user. In a further aspect, the disclosed methods and systems allow users to broadcast or share their channels with other users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Josiah Eatedali, Mark Arana
  • Patent number: 9686588
    Abstract: A network system provides delivery of customized target content, such as advertising, to individual users. There is transmission of a common spot content stream to a large group of the users. Each home client user communicates through a telecommunications network, such as the Internet, for connection to a portal to receive continuing media, such as streaming audio or video. The user installs receiver software at his home client processor for receiving both the streaming media and a content stream. The media stream includes spot markers placed at appropriate locations in the media stream by the publisher to designate locations for insertion of spot content and optionally to identify specific characteristics of the media stream. The content stream includes content units, such as audio advertising, together with spot content frames, which include parameters having values designated by the spot content provider to be the target audience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Advertising.com LLC
    Inventors: Jayne F. Johnson, G. Thomas Desjardins
  • Patent number: 9681185
    Abstract: A method comprising receiving a presentation providing the presentation to a plurality of viewers, receiving feedback information regarding the presentation from each of the plurality of viewers; and generating a report for a user based on the received feedback information is herein described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Spot Trender Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher South, Hiep L. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9674585
    Abstract: Described herein is a system and method of ad targeting that automatically matches advertisements to media based on the demographic signatures of each. The method and system include calculating a match score between historical buyer demographics and media demographics. Media which is similar to the demographic of the product buyers is targeted for advertising.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: ADAP.TV, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendan Kitts, Brian Burdick, Dyng Au, Tyson Roberts
  • Patent number: 9668024
    Abstract: Systems and processes are disclosed for controlling television user interactions using a virtual assistant. A virtual assistant can interact with a television set-top box to control content shown on a television. Speech input for the virtual assistant can be received from a device with a microphone. User intent can be determined from the speech input, and the virtual assistant can execute tasks according to the user's intent, including causing playback of media on the television. Virtual assistant interactions can be shown on the television in interfaces that expand or contract to occupy a minimal amount of space while conveying desired information. Multiple devices associated with multiple displays can be used to determine user intent from speech input as well as to convey information to users. In some examples, virtual assistant query suggestions can be provided to the user based on media content shown on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Marcel Van Os, Harry J. Saddler, Lia T. Napolitano, Jonathan H. Russell, Patrick M. Lister, Rohit Dasari