Patents Examined by Michael H Hong
  • Patent number: 11606591
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for coordinating the display of content segments in linear TV devices and over-the-top (OTT) media devices. A controller can select a content segment from a plurality of content segments of linear TV content provided to a plurality of linear TV devices to be displayed at a TV channel at a scheduled time instance. The controller can further select an OTT time instance separated from the scheduled time instance by a predetermined time interval, and provide a copy of the selected content segment to one or more media devices to be displayed at the one or more media devices at the OTT time instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: ROKU, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew George Grover
  • Patent number: 11601695
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes while a first content-presentation device is performing a content-replacement operation in which the first content-presentation device outputs a replacement advertisement segment in place of an advertisement segment, determining, by a computing system, that the advertisement segment is not an expected modifiable advertisement segment. The method also includes in response to determining that the advertisement segment is not the expected modifiable advertisement segment, determining, by the computing system, that the advertisement segment is ineligible for replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: ROKU, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew Grover
  • Patent number: 11601409
    Abstract: A security system is disclosed in which a secure communication session is established between an external security processor and an interface device. After insertion of the external security processor into the interface device, an authorization server provides authorization to the external security processor and the interface device based on, for example, identification information for each device. A derived key may be generated using a common device security key, and a seed value stored at the interface device. The derived key may then be used for multiple communication sessions between the interface device and the external security processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Fahmy, Pete Kuykendall, Nancy Davoust
  • Patent number: 11601729
    Abstract: A highlight transmission service allows users of communication devices to view highlights of sporting events while the sporting events are occurring without having to watch the sporting events. For example, a computer-implemented method may comprise: determining that a highlight of a sporting event is to be conveyed to a communication device; and transmitting data regarding the highlight of the sporting event to the communication device over a network during the sporting event in order to allow a user of the communication device to view the highlight of the sporting event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventors: Housam Badaan, Martin Tremblay
  • Patent number: 11582534
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method may include: receiving, by a first computer server, content provider data and content item data; identifying a plurality of profile elements by applying machine learning techniques to the received content provider data and content item data; calculating a first plurality of profile element scores for the content provider in each of the plurality of profile elements and a second plurality of profile element scores for the plurality of content items in each of the plurality of profile elements; determining, by utilizing one or more distance algorithms, profile element vector distances between the first plurality of profile element scores for the content provider and the plurality of second profile element scores for the plurality of content items; ranking the plurality of content items based on the determined profile element vector distances; and generating an interactive graphical user interface (GUI) displaying a plurality of radar graphs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Fredy Alexander Montano Pinilla, Paolo Miscia, Lina Roncancio
  • Patent number: 11582520
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for providing recommendations to a user. A short-media viewing profile may be maintained for the user. The short-media viewing profile may be based on user's behavior while watching short-length media content. A long-media viewing profile may be maintained for the user. The long-media viewing profile may be based on user's behavior while watching long-length media content. In response to determining that the user is currently engaged in viewing short-length media content, a recommendation is provided to the user based on the short-media viewing profile. In response to determining that the user is currently engaged in viewing long-length media content, a recommendation is provided to the user based on the long-media viewing profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Abubakkar Siddiq, Vineet Agarwal, Abhijit Satchidanand Savarkar
  • Patent number: 11556588
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for sharing a user interface between users. The system transmits live video simultaneously to a plurality of users. Then, the system determines a subset of the plurality of users, such that the subset includes two users that have a predetermined relationship. Then, during playback of the video, the system detects an object in a frame of the video corresponding to preferences of the first user. In response, the system determines whether the second user is researching information related to the object during playback of the video. If the second user is researching such information, the system streams a mirror image of a user interface with which the second user is performing the researching to the first user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Rovi Product Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Daniel Lee, Ida Wahlquist-Ortiz
  • Patent number: 11553225
    Abstract: A device, system, and method perform an automatic change over for transport streams. The method is performed at an output server. The method includes selecting a first transport stream. The method includes generating a first portion of an output based on the first transport stream. The method includes selecting a second transport stream. The method includes determining a frametime to synchronize first packets of the first transport stream to second packets of the second transport stream. The frametime is based on a start time of a content item included in the first transport stream and the second transport stream and a completed progression of the content item using the first transport stream. The method includes determining a location in the second transport stream based on the frametime. The method includes generating a second portion of the output based on the second transport stream starting at the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: VIACOM INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jeff Hess, Jonathan Edlin Clegg, Scott Danahy, Gregg William Riedel
  • Patent number: 11546672
    Abstract: To efficiently evaluate exchange of advertisement frames. A frame exchange evaluation system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a control unit configured to decide a plurality of campaigns that are advertisement frame exchange targets; and an acquisition unit configured to acquire current frame information about each of the campaigns and setting information for frame exchange including information about an allowable predicted audience rating of at least one of the campaigns after the frame exchange; wherein the control unit decides candidates for the frame exchange based on the current frame information and the setting information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: DENTSU INC.
    Inventor: Wataru Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 11537911
    Abstract: Techniques for nurturing content creation are provided. In one technique, a particular user is identified. Candidate entities are identified based on one or more attributes of the particular user. For each candidate entity, a feedback sensitivity measure of content creation of the candidate entity is determined. The feedback sensitivity measure is generated based on an amount of feedback, from other users, to content that the candidate entity has created. A score is then generated for the candidate entity based on the measure. A ranking of the candidate entities is determined based on the score of each candidate entity. A subset of the candidate entities is selected based on the ranking. The subset of the candidate entities is transmitted over a computer network to be presented on a computing device of the particular user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Chun Lo, Emilie De Longueau, Ankan Saha, Shaunak Chatterjee, Ye Tu
  • Patent number: 11533520
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for a media guidance application to determine that a user has switched away from a source transmitting a media asset with which the user was engaged and detect, while the user is switched away from the source, that secondary content transmitted by the source during a break of playback of the media asset relates to the media asset. In response to detecting that the secondary content relates to the media asset, the media guidance application may access a database to determine whether the secondary content specifically corresponds to the media asset, and, in response to determining that the secondary content specifically corresponds to the media asset, the media guidance application may generate for display the secondary content to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventor: Roma Jhaveri
  • Patent number: 11526906
    Abstract: An automated system configured for streamed contents, to be self-aware in preventing fraudulent tactics, during real-time and offline usages, while communicating with its owner for accurate decision making, comprising: a content player module, and a content streaming service module; configured using a codec module to embed logic, encryptions, heuristics data, associated meta data, and management data into the content format; configured to use symmetric encryption keys, public keys, biometrics, and payload data; configured to authenticate the user and content owner; configured to request, receive, send, stream content, and analytics through a secure communication; configured to provide secure virtual communications between users and content owners; configured to use a call-home data, to enable the content and content owner to communicate and update one another securely; Configured to provide real-time, and offline, fraud prevention heuristics using artificial intelligence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Inventor: Razmun Gouneili
  • Patent number: 11523152
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, generating a video scene adapted to establish an ambiance setting and providing the video scene to equipment of a user for presentation at a display device. A visual focus is detected of the user towards presentation of the video scene displayed proximate to the user and the video scene is modified responsive to the visual focus. The modifying of the video scene is adapted to discourage visual focus of the user towards the presentation of the video scene. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Edwards, Michael Gonzales, Sarah Everett
  • Patent number: 11509958
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system and method for selecting media content for a group of persons located at a venue. The system and method identify a plurality of viewers in a vicinity of a venue that has one or more display devices from location data and extracts a content viewing preference of each viewer from their profile data. The process includes aggregating the content viewing preference of each of the plurality of viewers to generate an aggregated content profile. Based on the aggregated content profile, a list of content is generated. Next, a first group of viewers approaching a viewing range of a display device are sensed by imaging data. Any conflicts between content viewing preferences of the first group of viewers are detected and resolved based on weighting the viewing preferences of the group. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: David Crawford Gibbon, Yadong Mu, Lee Begeja, Bernard S. Renger, Raghuraman Gopalan, Behzad Shahraray, Zhu Liu, Eric Zavesky
  • Patent number: 11503351
    Abstract: An attribution system aggregates and merges online data and offline chronologically. The attribution system examines merged data for unique visitor (UV) sessions initiated at an online medium (e.g., a website) within an attribution window for a spot that aired on an offline medium (e.g., a television network) and, for each conversion event that occurred in a UV session, assigns a session timestamp to it so that the conversion event is correlated to the spot. The attribution system then determines an overall conversion rate of UVs to the online medium in the attribution window and the attribution by the spot that aired on the offline medium to the overall conversion rate of UVs to the online medium in the attribution window. Results of the offline attribution to the online conversions can be visualized and presented on a client device communicatively connected to the attribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: TATARI, INC.
    Inventors: Michael D. Swinson, Lin O'Driscoll
  • Patent number: 11475782
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit and a changing unit. The acquisition unit acquires character information input by a viewer to content. The changing unit changes a representation form of a frequent word which is character information with a high appearance frequency among character information input by multiple viewers to the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP.
    Inventor: Masakazu Ogawa
  • Patent number: 11468478
    Abstract: There are disclosed devices, system and methods for predicting a likelihood of whether digital video ads will start on a given user device using a predictive model of the user device. The predictive model simulates a start of play in the user device and determines if the digital video ad started to play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Consumable, Inc.
    Inventors: Seth Mitchell Demsey, Michael Irvin Hyman, Alexander Alexandrovych Kislitsyn, Andrew Petroka
  • Patent number: 11463768
    Abstract: A system and method for displaying digital media files is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a user interface, a media file decryptor, an ad manager, an intersplicer, and a media player. The user interface receives input from a user indicating the selection of media files to be presented. The media file decryptor receives and decrypts the selected media files. The ad manager receives and manages ad files from an ad file source. The intersplicer combines the media files with the ad files by providing control signals to the media player, causing the media player to present the ad files with the selected media files.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Piranha Media Distribution, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip M. Donian, Larry E. Henneman, Jr., Michael M. Malione
  • Patent number: 11463744
    Abstract: A method and system to help facilitate dynamic content modification. When a modifiable content segment is scheduled to be present at an upcoming time on a channel that is being received by a content-presentation device, a system will provision the content-presentation device with multiple supplemental content segments each being a respective candidate segment applicable by the content-presentation device in dynamic content modification of the channel at the upcoming time. Then before the upcoming time, one of the provisioned supplemental content segments will be selected for application by the content-presentation device in the dynamic content modification at the upcoming time, with the selecting being based on whether the modifiable content segment will actually be present on the channel at the upcoming time. This arrangement can thereby help facilitate dynamic content modification even if the scheduled modifiable content segment does not end up being present at the time scheduled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: ROKU, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew Grover
  • Patent number: 11463769
    Abstract: Example invertible meter apparatus and related methods are disclosed. An example meter to monitor a media device includes a housing having a display and a plurality of walls. Respective ones of the walls are between respective ones of openings such that the openings are isolated from adjacent ones of the openings. A removable stencil includes a plurality of visual indicators, where the visual indicators to align with respective ones of the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Cooper, James Joseph Vitt, Douglas Brent Turnbow, Marko Usaj, Andrej Barbis, Saso Vranek