Patents by Inventor Bruce Bradley
Bruce Bradley 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).
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Patent number: 9565228Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and software are described for providing content to a device comprising streaming content and sending content in a non-streaming manner (e.g., by downloading a file containing the content). In some aspects, switching between streaming and downloading may be performed in a dynamic manner during presentation of the content, and may be seamless to the user's viewing experience.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2013Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLCInventors: Bruce Bradley, Robert Knee
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Publication number: 20160309229Abstract: Methods and systems for directing a user to desired content are described. In an aspect, a user can be directed to desired content through content bundling. As an example, in response to a user setting a digital video recorder (DVR) to record a particular program, a set of programs based on the particular program can also be recorded on the file and/or suggested to the user for recording. The order that the programs appear in the file is determined by a logical sequence, such as the order in which the programs first aired. In an aspect, a user can be directed to desired content during a particular point in current content, such as when the end credits begin to roll. The desired content can be identified as desired content based on the current content.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2015Publication date: October 20, 2016Inventors: Bruce Bradley, Walter Michel, Mark McKelvey, Rob Holmes, Dan Carella, William Sheahan, Ryan Crouch
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Publication number: 20160092935Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for generating customized advertising content by combining one or more content items with advertising content. The content items may comprise various forms of media content, including, video, audio, etc. Users may utilize an interface to accesses advertising content and content items. In one embodiment, the user may utilize the interface to integrate one or more content items with advertising content to generate customized advertising content. The interface may be used to further modify the customized advertising content. A computing device may monitor on more user's consumption of customized advertising content for various purposes.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2014Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventors: Bruce Bradley, Walt Michel, Mark McKelvey, Rob Holmes, Dan Carella, Bill Sheahan, Ryan Crouch
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Publication number: 20160063505Abstract: The present invention provides for natural language processing (NLP) follow up to a meeting in a calendaring and scheduling (C&S) component of a customer relationship management (CRM) system. A method for NLP follow up to a meeting in a C&S component of a CRM system includes scheduling a meeting from an end user in a C&S component of a CRM system. The method also includes loading a document of the end user such as an e-mail message or speech recognized text, and extracting a context for the document. The method yet further includes matching the context to the scheduled meeting and performing NLP on at least a portion of the document to produce data pertaining to at least one CRM object in the CRM system associated with the scheduled meeting. Finally, the method includes updating the CRM object with the produced data.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2014Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventor: Bruce Bradley
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Patent number: 9197872Abstract: A content management system may assist users in managing the storage of various pieces of content, such as television programs, that the user has recorded. The system may track the user's consumption behavior, determining which programs the user regularly watches and which programs the user regularly ignores, and use that consumption behavior to determine which recorded programs to recommend for relocation to a remote storage, or for outright deletion. The system can also use the behavior information to modify new recording requests, such as directing a new request to a secondary storage location if it is unlikely that the user will view the recording.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2013Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC.Inventors: Bruce Bradley, James Barkley, Robert Knee, Mark McKelvey
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Publication number: 20150242500Abstract: An archive model can be used for managing networked storage of recorded content, such as network DVR (digital video recorder) content. Content may be initially recorded to an active storage device, with individual duplicate copies recorded for each requesting user, and subsequently archived to an archive storage device. For playback, the content can be reconstituted into the active storage device prior to delivery to the requesting user. Content can be predictively reconstituted in anticipation of user needs, and the reconstitution capacity of the system can be dynamically reallocated for load balancing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventors: Todd Walker, Bruce Bradley, Thomas Day, Robert Gaydos, John Leddy, Weidong Mao
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Patent number: 9003462Abstract: An archive model can be used for managing networked storage of recorded content, such as network DVR (digital video recorder) content. Content may be initially recorded to an active storage device, with individual duplicate copies recorded for each requesting user, and subsequently archived to an archive storage device. For playback, the content can be reconstituted into the active storage device prior to delivery to the requesting user. Content can be predictively reconstituted in anticipation of user needs, and the reconstitution capacity of the system can be dynamically reallocated for load balancing.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2011Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Todd Walker, Bruce Bradley, Thomas Day, Robert Gaydos, John Leddy, Weidong Mao
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Publication number: 20140280688Abstract: Methods and systems for managing data are disclosed. One method can comprise storing first data locally relative to a user device and storing second data remotely relative to the user device. The first data and the second data can relate to the same content. The method can also comprise generating a manifest comprising location information relating to the first data and the second data and receiving a request for transmission of one or more of the first data and the second data based upon the manifest.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Weidong Mao, Elad Nafshi, Mark Andrew Vickers, Gregory Allen Broome, Sree Kotay, Bruce Bradley
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Publication number: 20140250235Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and software are described for providing content to a device comprising streaming content and sending content in a non-streaming manner (e.g., by downloading a file containing the content). In some aspects, switching between streaming and downloading may be performed in a dynamic manner during presentation of the content, and may be seamless to the user's viewing experience.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2013Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Bruce Bradley, Robert Knee
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Publication number: 20140233923Abstract: A content management system may assist users in managing the storage of various pieces of content, such as television programs, that the user has recorded. The system may track the user's consumption behavior, determining which programs the user regularly watches and which programs the user regularly ignores, and use that consumption behavior to determine which recorded programs to recommend for relocation to a remote storage, or for outright deletion. The system can also use the behavior information to modify new recording requests, such as directing a new request to a secondary storage location if it is unlikely that the user will view the recording.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2013Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Bruce Bradley, James Barkley, Robert Knee, Mark McKelvey
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Publication number: 20140101708Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to control of transmission and consumption of content in a device, such as an end-point rendering device. The content can include linear-programming content assets and/or time-shifted content assets. Consumption can be mediated by a control device that can coordinate the functional interaction between the device and a content distribution network node or an access network node that can supply the content and related information.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2012Publication date: April 10, 2014Inventor: Bruce Bradley
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Publication number: 20140079374Abstract: A method, apparatus, and software are provided for using an optically-readable code such as a quick-response (QR) code. The optically-readable code may represent a uniform resource identifier (URI) including parameters that represent a query, such as a query for content and/or other data. The query results may be used to command a content consumption device to record or otherwise obtain an item of content. The optically-readable code may additionally or alternatively be determined based upon a status of the device, such as what content, or portion thereof, is currently being displayed, and/or what error condition is being experienced.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLCInventors: Shaun Gehring, Jason Smith, Michael J. Cook, Bruce Bradley, Daniel T. Grady, Charlie Herrin, Robert Philibert
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Patent number: 8528013Abstract: A content delivery system headend is provided. The headend includes a Switched Digital Video (SDV) manager for coordinating SDV sessions requested by subscribers over an access network. The headend also includes an input unit such as a server for receiving content to be broadcast during the SDV sessions. Additionally, the headend includes a subscriber control unit for comparing channel change requests received by the SDV manager from subscribers to subscriber-established rules. Tuning information for accessing programming specified in the channel change requests is only supplied if the channel change requests do not conform to any of the subscriber-established rules for blocking the programming.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2007Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: General Instrument CorporationInventor: Bruce Bradley
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Publication number: 20120321278Abstract: A network digital video recording (nDVR) system may take into account the capabilities of a requesting user's local DVR when managing network recordings. The user's local DVR may include a temporary buffer that is normally used to record what the DVR is tuned to, and may be used for local trickplay functionality such as pausing live television. The nDVR features described herein may track the usage of the user's temporary DVR buffer, and use that in determining what to stream in response to a user's playback request. The nDVR system can also determine if the user's local DVR has an unused tuner at a time of a program recording, and can instruct the user's local DVR to also tune to the program.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLCInventors: Todd Walker, Bruce Bradley, Thomas Day, Robert Gaydos, John Leddy, Weidong Mao
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Publication number: 20120210382Abstract: An archive model can be used for managing networked storage of recorded content, such as network DVR (digital video recorder) content. Content may be initially recorded to an active storage device, with individual duplicate copies recorded for each requesting user, and subsequently archived to an archive storage device. For playback, the content can be reconstituted into the active storage device prior to delivery to the requesting user. Content can be predictively reconstituted in anticipation of user needs, and the reconstitution capacity of the system can be dynamically reallocated for load balancing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2011Publication date: August 16, 2012Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLCInventors: Todd Walker, Bruce Bradley, Thomas Day, Robert Gaydos, John Leddy, Weidong Mao
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Publication number: 20110204000Abstract: There is provided a method for removing selenium from an aqueous influent, comprising: adding a water-soluble reducing agent to an aqueous influent containing an oxidized selenium compound (Sex, wherein x is the oxidation state and x>0); reducing said Sex using said reducing agent at a temperature; removing said Se0 from said aqueous influent using a sorbent or a technique selected from the group consisting of filtration, coagulation, flocculation, clarification and centrifugation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2011Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: ConocoPhillips CompanyInventors: Larry Elbert Reed, Mark A. Hughes, Bruce Bradley Randolph
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Publication number: 20090133049Abstract: A content delivery system headend is provided. The headend includes a Switched Digital Video (SDV) manager for coordinating SDV sessions requested by subscribers over an access network. The headend also includes an input unit such as a server for receiving content to be broadcast during the SDV sessions. Additionally, the headend includes a subscriber control unit for comparing channel change requests received by the SDV manager from subscribers to subscriber-established rules. Tuning information for accessing programming specified in the channel change requests is only supplied if the channel change requests do not conform to any of the subscriber-established rules for blocking the programming.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2007Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: GENERAL INSTRUMENT CORPORATIONInventor: Bruce Bradley
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Patent number: 7293773Abstract: A method of playing a card game and a pack of cards for use therewith, the pack including a number of topic cards at least one of which is selected by the player and a number of playing cards in a pack which can be shuffled, a first additional card being located beneath the topic card and, if this additional card does not incorporate an “END” on its lower edge, a further additional card is located therebeneath until the lower end of an additional card incorporates the word “END”, the lower portion of each card, unless it is a card with an “END”, having the first part of a sentence and the upper portion of each card, unless it is a topic card, having the completion of a sentence, the player then reading the sentence(s) on the cards dealt. The cards can be in the form of a tarot pack for persons who are interested in this art, but this is not necessary.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2006Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Inventor: Bruce Bradley
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Publication number: 20060125179Abstract: A method of playing a card game and a pack of cards for use therewith, the pack including a number of topic cards at least one of which is selected by the player and a number of playing cards in a pack which can be shuffled, a first additional card being located beneath the topic card and, if this additional card does not incorporate an “END” on its lower edge, a further additional card is located therebeneath until the lower end of an additional card incorporates the word “END”, the lower portion of each card, unless it is a card with an “END”, having the first part of a sentence and the upper portion of each card, unless it is a topic card, having the completion of a sentence, the player then reading the sentence(s) on the cards dealt. The cards can be in the form of a tarot pack for persons who are interested in this art, but this is not necessary.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2006Publication date: June 15, 2006Inventor: Bruce Bradley
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Publication number: 20060080167Abstract: Methods and apparatuses and systems for inserting advertisement segments into trick content. Advertisement segments present in the original video content are extracted from the video content and merged with other navigation segements to generate associated trick content. The advertisement segment may be inserted into the trick files may be displayed at their normal playback speed, a different apparent playback speed, or displayed in a different direction. Additionally, alternative content of the advertisement segment may be inserted into the advertisement segment to provide specialized versions of the advertisement content to be displayed in trick content mode, or the content may be completely different fro the original advertisement content, such as session specific advertisement conent or even user specific advertisement content based on user preferences.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2004Publication date: April 13, 2006Inventors: Michael Chen, Bruce Bradley