Patents by Inventor Benjamin Harden

Benjamin Harden 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).

  • Patent number: 11971964
    Abstract: The system and methods described allow a content delivery application to provide temporary access to a content item for display on a content access device based on a user obtaining access to the content item initially on another system. The content delivery application receives content accessed confirmation that user access a content item and then monitors whether that access was interrupted. If the access was interrupted, the content delivery application generates a content access bookmark based on a content timeline and stores a content access authorization comprising the content access bookmark and an identifier from the profile. When the user requests the content item, the content delivery application transmits access information corresponding to segments of the content item, based on the content access bookmark to a user's device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Eduardo del Valle Diharce, Benjamin Harden
  • Patent number: 11924517
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a channel sequence for display via an abbreviated on-screen guide are disclosed herein. Channel tuning commands are entered via a user interface of a computing device. Channel tuning data, which describes channel transitions caused by the channel tuning commands, is stored in a buffer. Based on the channel tuning data, a channel family comprising a plurality of channels is generated. A determination is made as to whether a currently tuned channel is included in the channel family. In response to determining that the currently tuned channel is included in the channel family, an on-screen guide, which comprises an abbreviated channel listing of the plurality of channels of the channel family, is generated for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael James Brehm, Benjamin Harden
  • Publication number: 20230328322
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for displaying a guide for media content available on a user device. An illustrative method includes retrieving media content guide data for a plurality of channels, identifying a first media content item that is not available for retrieval from a content source, in response to identifying the first media content item, identifying a second media content item that is related to the first media content item and is available for retrieval from the content source, retrieving, from the content source, the second media content item, and generating for display a media content guide interface for the plurality of channels, wherein an identifier of the second media content item is displayed in a timeslot for the first media content item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Michael James Brehm, Benjamin Harden
  • Publication number: 20230300414
    Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating discovery of fresh content in a grid guide are described herein. The system generates for display a grid guide with a first set of content identifiers populating the grid guide. The system receives an input to shift the grid guide and, in response, identifies a second set of content identifiers that would populate the grid guide following the shift. The system determines duplicative content identifiers between the first and second sets of content identifiers. The system then removes the duplicative content identifiers or highlights the non-duplicative content identifiers in order to emphasize fresh content in the grid guide. The system may additionally add identifiers to the content identifiers to indicate recorded or previously watched content and may collapse the grid guide if there are blank rows or columns. These methods and systems provide the user with easier access to fresh content in the grid guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Benjamin Harden, Walter John Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20230267140
    Abstract: The system and methods described herein provide content recommendations to user equipment timed to reduce interruption of content. A content recommendation application detects output of first content and determines viewing metrics for the first content. Using the determined viewing metrics, the content recommendation application determines whether output of a content recommendation should be blocked. In response to determining that the viewing metrics indicate output of the content recommendation should be blocked, the content recommendation application blocks the content recommendation. Upon receiving an input changing output of the first content to output of a second content, the content recommendation application unblocks and outputs the content recommendation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Michael James Brehm, Walter John Schmidt, Benjamin Harden
  • Patent number: 11716512
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for displaying a guide for media content available on a user device. An illustrative method includes retrieving media content guide data for a plurality of channels, identifying a first media content item that is not available for retrieval from a content source, in response to identifying the first media content item, identifying a second media content item that is related to the first media content item and is available for retrieval from the content source, retrieving, from the content source, the second media content item, and generating for display a media content guide interface for the plurality of channels, wherein an identifier of the second media content item is displayed in a timeslot for the first media content item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael James Brehm, Benjamin Harden
  • Patent number: 11651021
    Abstract: The system and methods described herein provide content recommendations to user equipment timed to reduce interruption of content. A content recommendation application detects output of first content and determines viewing metrics for the first content. Using the determined viewing metrics, the content recommendation application determines whether output of a content recommendation should be blocked. In response to determining that the viewing metrics indicate output of the content recommendation should be blocked, the content recommendation application blocks the content recommendation. Upon receiving an input changing output of the first content to output of a second content, the content recommendation application unblocks and outputs the content recommendation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: ROVI GUIDES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael James Brehm, Walter John Schmidt, Benjamin Harden
  • Patent number: 11611802
    Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating discovery of fresh content in a grid guide are described herein. The system generates for display a grid guide with a first set of content identifiers populating the grid guide. The system receives an input to shift the grid guide and, in response, identifies a second set of content identifiers that would populate the grid guide following the shift. The system determines duplicative content identifiers between the first and second sets of content identifiers. The system then removes the duplicative content identifiers or highlights the non-duplicative content identifiers in order to emphasize fresh content in the grid guide. The system may additionally add identifiers to the content identifiers to indicate recorded or previously watched content and may collapse the grid guide if there are blank rows or columns. These methods and systems provide the user with easier access to fresh content in the grid guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Harden, Walter John Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20220400317
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a channel sequence for display via an abbreviated on-screen guide are disclosed herein. Channel tuning commands are entered via a user interface of a computing device. Channel tuning data, which describes channel transitions caused by the channel tuning commands, is stored in a buffer. Based on the channel tuning data, a channel family comprising a plurality of channels is generated. A determination is made as to whether a currently tuned channel is included in the channel family. In response to determining that the currently tuned channel is included in the channel family, an on-screen guide, which comprises an abbreviated channel listing of the plurality of channels of the channel family, is generated for display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Michael James Brehm, Benjamin Harden
  • Patent number: 11350176
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a channel sequence for display via an abbreviated on-screen guide are disclosed herein. Channel tuning commands are entered via a user interface of a computing device. Channel tuning data, which describes channel transitions caused by the channel tuning commands, is stored in a buffer. Based on the channel tuning data, a channel family comprising a plurality of channels is generated. A determination is made as to whether a currently tuned channel is included in the channel family. In response to determining that the currently tuned channel is included in the channel family, an on-screen guide, which comprises an abbreviated channel listing of the plurality of channels of the channel family, is generated for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ROVI GUIDES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael James Brehm, Benjamin Harden
  • Patent number: 11350177
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a content item sequence for display via an abbreviated on-screen guide are disclosed herein. Content selection commands are entered via a user interface of a computing device. Transition data, which describes content item playback transitions caused by the content selection commands, is stored in a buffer. Based on the transition data, a content family, which comprises a plurality of content items, is generated. A determination is made as to whether a content item currently being played back is included in the content family. In response to determining that the currently played-back content item is included in the content family, an on-screen guide, which comprises an abbreviated content item listing of the plurality of content items of the content family, is generated for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ROVI GUIDES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael James Brehm, Benjamin Harden
  • Publication number: 20210400346
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for displaying a guide for media content available on a user device. An illustrative method includes retrieving media content guide data for a plurality of channels, identifying a first media content item that is not available for retrieval from a content source, in response to identifying the first media content item, identifying a second media content item that is related to the first media content item and is available for retrieval from the content source, retrieving, from the content source, the second media content item, and generating for display a media content guide interface for the plurality of channels, wherein an identifier of the second media content item is displayed in a timeslot for the first media content item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Michael James Brehm, Benjamin Harden
  • Publication number: 20210349971
    Abstract: The system and methods described allow a content delivery application to provide temporary access to a content item for display on a content access device based on a user obtaining access to the content item initially on another system. The content delivery application receives content accessed confirmation that user access a content item and then monitors whether that access was interrupted. If the access was interrupted, the content delivery application generates a content access bookmark based on a content timeline and stores a content access authorization comprising the content access bookmark and an identifier from the profile. When the user requests the content item, the content delivery application transmits access information corresponding to segments of the content item, based on the content access bookmark to a user's device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Jose Eduardo del Valle Diharce, Benjamin Harden
  • Publication number: 20210311981
    Abstract: The system and methods described herein provide content recommendations to user equipment timed to reduce interruption of content. A content recommendation application detects output of first content and determines viewing metrics for the first content. Using the determined viewing metrics, the content recommendation application determines whether output of a content recommendation should be blocked. In response to determining that the viewing metrics indicate output of the content recommendation should be blocked, the content recommendation application blocks the content recommendation. Upon receiving an input changing output of the first content to output of a second content, the content recommendation application unblocks and outputs the content recommendation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Michael James Brehm, Walter John Schmidt, Benjamin Harden
  • Patent number: 11140447
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for displaying a guide for media content available on a user device. An illustrative method includes retrieving media content guide data for a plurality of channels, identifying a first media content item that is not available for retrieval from a content source, in response to identifying the first media content item, identifying a second media content item that is related to the first media content item and is available for retrieval from the content source, retrieving, from the content source, the second media content item, and generating for display a media content guide interface for the plurality of channels, wherein an identifier of the second media content item is displayed in a timeslot for the first media content item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael James Brehm, Benjamin Harden
  • Publication number: 20210274252
    Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating discovery of fresh content in a grid guide are described herein. The system generates for display a grid guide with a first set of content identifiers populating the grid guide. The system receives an input to shift the grid guide and, in response, identifies a second set of content identifiers that would populate the grid guide following the shift. The system determines duplicative content identifiers between the first and second sets of content identifiers. The system then removes the duplicative content identifiers or highlights the non-duplicative content identifiers in order to emphasize fresh content in the grid guide. The system may additionally add identifiers to the content identifiers to indicate recorded or previously watched content and may collapse the grid guide if there are blank rows or columns. These methods and systems provide the user with easier access to fresh content in the grid guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Benjamin Harden, Walter John Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11100196
    Abstract: The system and methods described allow a content delivery application to provide temporary access to a content item for display on a content access device based on a user obtaining access to the content item initially on another system. The content delivery application receives content accessed confirmation that user access a content item and then monitors whether that access was interrupted. If the access was interrupted, the content delivery application generates a content access bookmark based on a content timeline and stores a content access authorization comprising the content access bookmark and an identifier from the profile. When the user requests the content item, the content delivery application transmits access information corresponding to segments of the content item, based on the content access bookmark to a user's device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Eduardo del Valle Diharce, Benjamin Harden
  • Patent number: 11068527
    Abstract: The system and methods described herein provide content recommendations to user equipment timed to reduce interruption of content. A content recommendation application detects output of first content and determines viewing metrics for the first content. Using the determined viewing metrics, the content recommendation application determines whether output of a content recommendation should be blocked. In response to determining that the viewing metrics indicate output of the content recommendation should be blocked, the content recommendation application blocks the content recommendation. Upon receiving an input changing output of the first content to output of a second content, the content recommendation application unblocks and outputs the content recommendation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael James Brehm, Walter John Schmidt, Benjamin Harden
  • Patent number: 10965988
    Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating discovery of fresh content in a grid guide are described herein. The system generates for display a grid guide with a first set of content identifiers populating the grid guide. The system receives an input to shift the grid guide and, in response, identifies a second set of content identifiers that would populate the grid guide following the shift. The system determines duplicative content identifiers between the first and second sets of content identifiers. The system then removes the duplicative content identifiers or highlights the non-duplicative content identifiers in order to emphasize fresh content in the grid guide. The system may additionally add identifiers to the content identifiers to indicate recorded or previously watched content and may collapse the grid guide if there are blank rows or columns. These methods and systems provide the user with easier access to fresh content in the grid guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Harden, Walter John Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20200394280
    Abstract: The system and methods described allow a content delivery application to provide temporary access to a content item for display on a content access device based on a user obtaining access to the content item initially on another system. The content delivery application receives content accessed confirmation that user access a content item and then monitors whether that access was interrupted. If the access was interrupted, the content delivery application generates a content access bookmark based on a content timeline and stores a content access authorization comprising the content access bookmark and an identifier from the profile. When the user requests the content item, the content delivery application transmits access information corresponding to segments of the content item, based on the content access bookmark to a user's device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Jose Eduardo del Valle Diharce, Benjamin Harden