Patents by Inventor Brian F. Roberts

Brian F. Roberts 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).

  • Publication number: 20150020107
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes a computer-implemented media service system presenting a first user interface view within which a presentation of a media program is provided for experiencing by a user, determining that the media program is included in a first set of curated media programs associated with a first theme, identifying a second theme that is different than the first theme, detecting a theme shift event that occurs in association with the presentation of the media program, and switching, in response to the theme shift event, from presenting the first user interface view to presenting a second user interface view for experiencing by the user, the second user interface view related to a second set of curated media programs associated with the second theme and unassociated with the first theme. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Ann Gordon Prather, Christina S. Siegfried, Brian F. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20150020105
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes a computer-implemented media service system 1) establishing a set of one or more conditions for a media-on-demand-based programming channel, 2) selecting, from a repository of on-demand media content and based on the set of one or more conditions, a set of on-demand media programs for inclusion in the media-on-demand-based programming channel, and 3) mapping the selected set of on-demand media programs to the media-on-demand-based programming channel to represent a scheduled, linear playback of the set of on-demand media programs on the media-on-demand-based programming channel in accordance with a linear playback schedule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Brian F. Roberts, Christina S. Siegfried, Ann Gordon Prather, Paul Bradley Bowers, Imran Arif Maskatia, Brandon N. Wright
  • Patent number: 8930849
    Abstract: Exemplary enhanced media content tagging systems and methods are described herein. An exemplary method includes a media content tagging system recording a live transmission of media content in response to a user request that the media content be recorded, receiving, from a media content access device, tag data representative of a user-defined tag specifying a segment of the media content, optimizing the user-defined tag, and distributing the optimized user-defined tag to another media content access device for use by the another media content access device to identify and present the segment of the media content. In certain embodiments, the optimization of the user-defined tag may be based on an analysis of aggregated user-defined tags, an analysis of the media content, or a combination thereof. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Brian F. Roberts, Donald H. Relyea, Greg A. Johns, Shannon M. Lyons
  • Publication number: 20150007055
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes a multi-user collaboration tracking system 1) detecting an initiation of a collaboration session during which a plurality of users interact with a whiteboard space displayed on a single physical display associated with a computing device, 2) detecting an interaction event performed with respect to the whiteboard space during the collaboration session, 3) identifying a user included in the plurality of users as having performed the interaction event, and 4) associating the interaction event with the user. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Anthony Lemus, Brian F. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8923685
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes receiving a command input by a user to record media content, recording media content data representative of the media content in response to the command, automatically selecting at least one storage device from a local storage device and a network storage device for storage of the recorded media content data in accordance with at least one of a plurality of storage balancing factors, and storing the recorded media content data in the at least one selected storage device. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Brian F. Roberts, Harpal S. Bassali, Sudhanshu Sharma, Donald H. Relyea, Raul I. Aldrey, Japan A. Mehta
  • Patent number: 8913171
    Abstract: Exemplary methods and systems for dynamically presenting enhanced content during a presentation of a media content instance are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes an enhanced content presentation system detecting, within a view acquired by a camera, a display device presenting a media content instance, displaying the view acquired by the camera on a display screen of a mobile device associated with the camera, and dynamically presenting, within the displayed view, one or more display elements representative of one or more enhanced content instances associated with the media content. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Brian F. Roberts, Donald H. Relyea, Anthony M. Lemus
  • Publication number: 20140359669
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes a media content presentation system 1) maintaining a video-on-demand (“VOD”) channel surfing list associated with a user of a media content access device, the VOD channel surfing list identifying a plurality of VOD content instances selected from a library of VOD content instances that are available by way of the media content access device during a VOD browsing session, 2) associating the VOD content instances identified in the VOD channel surfing list with a plurality of VOD channels, 3) detecting a channel surfing command provided by the user during the VOD browsing session, and 4) directing, in response to the channel surfing command, the media content access device to switch to a VOD channel included in the plurality of VOD channels that is presenting a video preview of a VOD content instance identified in the VOD channel surfing list and associated with the VOD channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Anthony Lemus, Brian F. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8896556
    Abstract: A user device with a touch-sensitive display presents a user interface with multiple content options and detects, on the touch-sensitive display, a touch indicating selection of one of the multiple content options. The user device monitors a duration of the touch. The user device presents a first set of selectable options, associated with the one of the multiple content options, in response to determining that the duration of the touch exceeds the first time threshold, and presents a second set of selectable options, associated with the one of the multiple content options, in response to determining that the duration of the touch exceeds the second time threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Kristopher T. Frazier, Brian F. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8887068
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes displaying an interactive collaboration plane along a time axis within a graphical user interface, automatically detecting a plurality of participation events each performed by one of a plurality of participants during a conference session between the plurality of participants, recording a time of occurrence of each of the participation events, and displaying graphical depictions of the participation events within the interactive collaboration plane. The graphical depictions are positioned along the time axis in accordance with the recorded times of occurrence of the participation events. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Brian F. Roberts, Donald H. Relyea
  • Patent number: 8881217
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a media content processing subsystem within a plurality of media content processing subsystems configured to receive transmissions of media content instances from a media content provider by way of a network sends a shared content request to the media content provider, the request being for a media content instance included in the transmissions of media content instances from the media content provider. The request is configured to cause the media content provider to identify at least one other media content processing subsystem within the plurality of media content processing subsystems that is able to provide the media content instance to the media content processing subsystem, and instruct the at least one other media content processing subsystem to transmit, to the media content processing subsystem, the media content instance received by the at least one other media content processing subsystem from the media content provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Heath Stallings, Brian F. Roberts, Donald H. Relyea
  • Publication number: 20140325566
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes a computing device presenting a program guide interface by way of a touch screen, detecting a pinch gesture provided in relation to the program guide interface, and presenting, in response to the pinch gesture, a plurality of graphical objects representative of a plurality of media programming channel groups. Each graphical object in the plurality of graphical objects is configured to function as a user-selectable jump point to specific programming guide information associated with a respective media programming channel group in the plurality of media programming channel groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Brian F. Roberts, Donald H. Relyea, Heath Stallings
  • Publication number: 20140325547
    Abstract: In an exemplary system, a data store includes at least a subset of media content, media content attribute data associated with the media content, user profile data associated with at least one consumer having access to the media content, advertising content, and content matching data associated with the advertising content. An access module is communicatively coupled to an access device and configured to receive a request sent by the access device, the request being for access to a media content instance included in the media content. A matching module is configured to match at least one advertising content instance included in the advertising content to the media content instance based on the media content attribute data, user profile data, and content matching data. The access module is configured to provide the matched advertising content instance to the access device for user presentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Brian F. Roberts, Heath Stallings, Donald H. Relyea
  • Publication number: 20140321650
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes receiving data representative of a content instance over a network from an access device associated with a first user, encrypting the content instance in response to a command initiated by the user by way of one or more graphical user interfaces, providing a key configured to facilitate decryption of the encrypted content instance, creating at least one access rule corresponding to the encrypted content instance, transmitting data representative of the encrypted content instance to a requesting access device associated with a requesting user, receiving, from the requesting access device, data representative of a request to access the key over the network, and performing a predefined action related to the key in response to the request and in accordance with the at least one access rule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Donald H. Relyea, Brian F. Roberts, Michelle Felt
  • Publication number: 20140304405
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes at least one computing device maintaining data representative of a user profile associated with a first user of a first mobile device, detecting that the first mobile device and a second mobile device associated with a second user are located in a geographic vicinity, determining, in response to the detecting that the first mobile device and the second mobile are located in the geographic vicinity, that the second user matches at least one criterion defined within the user profile associated with the first user, and automatically storing, in response to the determining, contact information corresponding to the second user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Brian F. Roberts, JR., Donald H. Relyea, Michelle Felt
  • Publication number: 20140289801
    Abstract: An exemplary system includes a content delivery subsystem configured to receive media content from a content provider and transmit the media content over a network to a content processing subsystem configured to process and provide the media content for presentation to an end user. The content delivery subsystem is further configured to maintain resource data associated with at least one of the media content and the content provider, make at least a subset of the resource data available to the content processing subsystem for inclusion in an end user interface, provide a content customization portal for access by the content provider, authenticate the content provider accessing the content customization portal, receive custom content from the authenticated content provider via the content customization portal, and provide the custom content to the content processing subsystem for inclusion in the end user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Brian F. Roberts, Heath Stallings, Donald H. Relyea
  • Publication number: 20140287831
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes identifying a plurality of highlight media segments associated with a plurality of events that occur during one or more sporting events, identifying one or more players involved in the plurality of events, determining that the identified one or more players are of interest to a user, sending, in response to the determining, one or more highlight messages that indicate an availability of the highlight media segments to a user device associated with the user while the user device is presenting media content within a display screen associated with the user device, and causing, in accordance with the one or more highlight messages, the user device to present, within the display screen while the media content is being presented within the display screen, a user interface that includes listings of the highlight media segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Donald H. Relyea, Brian F. Roberts, Heath Stallings
  • Patent number: 8839290
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes receiving a plurality of data chunks each representative of a distinct portion of a media content program, generating a personalized version of the media content program based on at least a subset of the data chunks and in accordance with one or more of a plurality of personalization factors associated with a user, and providing the personalized version of the media content program for presentation to the user. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Brian F. Roberts, Harpal S. Bassali, Sudhanshu Sharma, Donald H. Relyea, Raul I. Aldrey, Japan A. Mehta
  • Publication number: 20140258278
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide an online directory service over a network. After receiving a request to view an online directory listing from a network-enabled user terminal, an online directory server may present to the user terminal a directory listing associated with an identifier of audiovisual content. In response to a selection by a user of the listing, the user terminal may provide the identifier associated with the selected directory listing to the directory server. Based on the identifier, the directory server may access the audiovisual content and provide it to the user terminal and may present it to the user in conjunction with the other information of the directory listing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Verizon Data Services LLC
    Inventors: Shadman ZAFAR, Brian F. Roberts, Shafiq Kassam, Enrique Ruiz-Velasco
  • Publication number: 20140250381
    Abstract: An exemplary system includes a media content processing subsystem configured to provide a first interactive graphical user interface to a display for presentation to a user in response to a transmission of an input command, provide an end interactive graphical user interface to the display for presentation to the user in response to a repeat transmission of the input command, and perform an action corresponding to a selected entry within the end interactive graphical user interface in response to another repeat transmission of the input command. The first interactive graphical user interface corresponds to a first content level within a navigation thread and the end interactive graphical user interface corresponds to an end content level within the navigation thread.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Heath Stallings, JR., Donald H. Relyea, Brian F. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8824645
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes a video messaging system 1) providing an asynchronous video messaging service, 2) maintaining communication thread data representative of a video communication thread that includes a plurality of video messages exchanged between users of the asynchronous video messaging service, 3) providing a user interface configured to facilitate user interaction with the video communication thread, 4) receiving, by way of the user interface, a user input command to process multiple video messages included in the video communication thread, and 5) stitching together the multiple video messages for use in processing the multiple video messages in response to the user input command. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Brian F. Roberts, Anthony M. Lemus, Japan A. Mehta, Kishore Tallapaneni, Donald H. Relyea, Sudhanshu Sharma