Patents by Inventor BRYON E. SCHAFER

BRYON E. SCHAFER 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: 8966520
    Abstract: Configuration of advertisements in a streaming video segment works in cooperation with a client device. Using a selection algorithm, a server selects a first number of default video advertisements for a video streaming session, and a second number of alternative video ads greater than the first number. The server provides identifiers for the alternative video advertisements and transmits the identifiers to the client device prior to a corresponding ad break in the streaming video. During or before streaming of one of the default video advertisements to the client device, the server detects a signal from the client device requesting that one of the alternative video advertisements be swapped for the one of the default video advertisements, interrupts streaming of the default video, and initiates streaming of the one of the alternative video advertisements, in response to detecting the signal. Corresponding operations may be performed by the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hulu, LLC
    Inventors: Richard W. Tom, Jason A. Kilar, Jean-Paul Colaco, Bryon E. Schafer, Wing Chit Mak
  • Publication number: 20130086607
    Abstract: Configuration of advertisements in a streaming video segment works in cooperation with a client device. Using a selection algorithm, a server selects a first number of default video advertisements for a video streaming session, and a second number of alternative video ads greater than the first number. The server provides identifiers for the alternative video advertisements and transmits the identifiers to the client device prior to a corresponding ad break in the streaming video. During or before streaming of one of the default video advertisements to the client device, the server detects a signal from the client device requesting that one of the alternative video advertisements be swapped for the one of the default video advertisements, interrupts streaming of the default video, and initiates streaming of the one of the alternative video advertisements, in response to detecting the signal. Corresponding operations may be performed by the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: HULU LLC
    Inventors: Richard W. TOM, Jason A. KILAR, Jean-Paul COLACO, Bryon E. SCHAFER, Wing Chit MAK
  • Publication number: 20120110619
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for providing advertisements with a media program transmitted to a user device are described. The method permits the user to manage the provision of user information such as surveys and advertisement feedback to the media program provider to improve the advertising experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: HULU LLC
    Inventors: JASON A. KILAR, JESSICA P. IVY, WING CHIT MAK, RICHARD W. TOM, ROBERT M. WONG, BRYON E. SCHAFER, HUA ZHENG, JEAN-PAUL COLACO, BRIAN SOEBEKTI
  • Publication number: 20120110615
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for providing advertisements with a media program transmitted to a user device are described. The method permits the user to interrupt the playback of the advertisement and continue with the playback of the media program with no further advertisements, or to interrupt the playback of the advertisement to substitute a different version of the advertisement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: HULU LLC
    Inventors: JASON A. KILAR, JESSICA P. IVY, WING CHIT MAK, RICHARD W. TOM, ROBERT M. WONG, BRYON E. SCHAFER, HUA ZHENG, JEAN-PAUL COLACO, BRIAN SOEBEKTI