Patents by Inventor Chan V. Hou

Chan V. Hou 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: 20240022771
    Abstract: Systems and methods enable video on demand playback startup times to be reduced. A redirect database is populated with redirect locators. A request from a device for an item of primary video content is received. A static manifest file is generated including locators corresponding to the requested item of primary video content and redirect database entries storing redirect locators to default interstitial media. The static manifest file is transmitted to the device. Potential items of interstitial media are identified by sources of interstitial media, and a first item of interstitial media is selected. A redirect locator in the redirect database is replaced with a redirect locator corresponding to the selected interstitial media. A request is received from the device directed to the redirect database location storing the redirect locator corresponding to the selected interstitial media. The selected interstitial media is streamed to the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventor: Chan V. Hou
  • Patent number: 11729434
    Abstract: Systems and methods enable video on demand playback startup times to be reduced. A redirect database is populated with redirect locators. A request from a device for an item of primary video content is received. A static manifest file is generated including locators corresponding to the requested item of primary video content and redirect database entries storing redirect locators to default interstitial media. The static manifest file is transmitted to the device. Potential items of interstitial media are identified by sources of interstitial media, and a first item of interstitial media is selected. A redirect locator in the redirect database is replaced with a redirect locator corresponding to the selected interstitial media. A request is received from the device directed to the redirect database location storing the redirect locator corresponding to the selected interstitial media. The selected interstitial media is streamed to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Pluto Inc.
    Inventor: Chan V. Hou
  • Publication number: 20230254537
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and publishing content are described. A video content item, having a first time length, is identified by a system to be included in a program scheduled for a first time period. The video may be hosted on a third party system. A first time span within the first program is allocated for the video, wherein the first time span is longer than the first time length. The system determines, prior to or at the first time period, a time difference between a current length of the video and the first time span. At least partly in response to determining that the video has a time length shorter than the first time span, the system selects supplemental content based at least in part of the determined time difference to be streamed to user terminals over a data network within the first time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Grouf, Ilya Pozin, Thomas Sieverding, Michael Price, Lindsey Emerson, Lynn D. Gabbay, Thomas V. Ryan, Audra E. Gold, Chan V. Hou
  • Patent number: 11659245
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and publishing content are described. A video content item, having a first time length, is identified by a system to be included in a program scheduled for a first time period. The video may be hosted on a third party system. A first time span within the first program is allocated for the video, wherein the first time span is longer than the first time length. The system determines, prior to or at the first time period, a time difference between a current length of the video and the first time span. At least partly in response to determining that the video has a time length shorter than the first time span, the system selects supplemental content based at least in part of the determined time difference to be streamed to user terminals over a data network within the first time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Pluto Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Grouf, Ilya Pozin, Thomas Sieverding, Michael Price, Lindsey Emerson, Lynn D. Gabbay, Thomas V. Ryan, Audra E. Gold, Chan V. Hou
  • Patent number: 11659244
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and publishing content are described. A a video content item, having a first time length, is identified by a system to be included in a program scheduled for a first time period. The video may be hosted on a third party system. A first time span within the first program is allocated for the video, wherein the first time span is longer than the first time length. The system determines, prior to or at the first time period, a time difference between a current length of the video and the first time span. At least partly in response to determining that the video has a time length shorter than the first time span, the system selects supplemental content based at least in part of the determined time difference to be streamed to user terminals over a data network within the first time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Pluto Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Grouf, Ilya Pozin, Thomas Sieverding, Michael Price, Lindsey Emerson, Lynn D. Gabbay, Thomas V. Ryan, Audra E. Gold, Chan V. Hou
  • Patent number: 11627375
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and publishing content are described. A a video content item, having a first time length, is identified by a system to be included in a program scheduled for a first time period. The video may be hosted on a third party system. A first time span within the first program is allocated for the video, wherein the first time span is longer than the first time length. The system determines, prior to or at the first time period, a time difference between a current length of the video and the first time span. At least partly in response to determining that the video has a time length shorter than the first time span, the system selects supplemental content based at least in part of the determined time difference to be streamed to user terminals over a data network within the first time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Pluto Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Grouf, Ilya Pozin, Thomas Sieverding, Michael Price, Lindsey Emerson, Lynn D. Gabbay, Thomas V. Ryan, Audra E. Gold, Chan V. Hou
  • Publication number: 20230013326
    Abstract: Systems and methods enable video on demand playback startup times to be reduced. A redirect database is populated with redirect locators. A request from a device for an item of primary video content is received. A static manifest file is generated including locators corresponding to the requested item of primary video content and redirect database entries storing redirect locators to default interstitial media. The static manifest file is transmitted to the device. Potential items of interstitial media are identified by sources of interstitial media, and a first item of interstitial media is selected. A redirect locator in the redirect database is replaced with a redirect locator corresponding to the selected interstitial media. A request is received from the device directed to the redirect database location storing the redirect locator corresponding to the selected interstitial media. The selected interstitial media is streamed to the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventor: Chan V. Hou
  • Patent number: 11463741
    Abstract: Systems and methods enable video on demand playback startup times to be reduced. A redirect database is populated with redirect locators. A request from a device for an item of primary video content is received. A static manifest file is generated including locators corresponding to the requested item of primary video content and redirect database entries storing redirect locators to default interstitial media. The static manifest file is transmitted to the device. Potential items of interstitial media are identified by sources of interstitial media, and a first item of interstitial media is selected. A redirect locator in the redirect database is replaced with a redirect locator corresponding to the selected interstitial media. A request is received from the device directed to the redirect database location storing the redirect locator corresponding to the selected interstitial media. The selected interstitial media is streamed to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Pluto Inc.
    Inventor: Chan V. Hou
  • Publication number: 20220303624
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and publishing content are described. A video content item, having a first time length, is identified by a system to be included in a program scheduled for a first time period. The video may be hosted on a third party system. A first time span within the first program is allocated for the video, wherein the first time span is longer than the first time length. The system determines, prior to or at the first time period, a time difference between a current length of the video and the first time span. At least partly in response to determining that the video has a time length shorter than the first time span, the system selects supplemental content based at least in part of the determined time difference to be streamed to user terminals over a data network within the first time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Grouf, Ilya Pozin, Thomas Sieverding, Michael Price, Lindsey Emerson, Lynn D. Gabbay, Thomas V. Ryan, Audra E. Gold, Chan V. Hou
  • Publication number: 20220303623
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and publishing content are described. A a video content item, having a first time length, is identified by a system to be included in a program scheduled for a first time period. The video may be hosted on a third party system. A first time span within the first program is allocated for the video, wherein the first time span is longer than the first time length. The system determines, prior to or at the first time period, a time difference between a current length of the video and the first time span. At least partly in response to determining that the video has a time length shorter than the first time span, the system selects supplemental content based at least in part of the determined time difference to be streamed to user terminals over a data network within the first time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Grouf, Ilya Pozin, Thomas Sieverding, Michael Price, Lindsey Emerson, Lynn D. Gabbay, Thomas V. Ryan, Audra E. Gold, Chan V. Hou
  • Publication number: 20220295147
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and publishing content are described. A a video content item, having a first time length, is identified by a system to be included in a program scheduled for a first time period. The video may be hosted on a third party system. A first time span within the first program is allocated for the video, wherein the first time span is longer than the first time length. The system determines, prior to or at the first time period, a time difference between a current length of the video and the first time span. At least partly in response to determining that the video has a time length shorter than the first time span, the system selects supplemental content based at least in part of the determined time difference to be streamed to user terminals over a data network within the first time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Grouf, Ilya Pozin, Thomas Sieverding, Michael Price, Lindsey Emerson, Lynn D. Gabbay, Thomas V. Ryan, Audra E. Gold, Chan V. Hou
  • Patent number: 11425437
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and transmitting content are described in the illustrative context of electronic program guides and program channels. Data is received over a network from a first user terminal that enables identification of the first user. Program information for a digital program is accessed. A determination is made as to how many interstitials are to be presented during a playback of the digital program. A prediction model is selected and executed to generate predictions of user responses to one or more placements of program interstitials. The user response predictions are used to determine positioning of interstitials with respect to the program. The interstitials are enabled to be displayed on the first user terminal in accordance with the determined positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Pluto Inc.
    Inventor: Chan V. Hou
  • Patent number: 11395038
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and publishing content are described. A content item, such as a video, having a first time length, is identified by a system to be included in a program scheduled for a first time period. The video may be hosted on a third party system. A first span of time within the first program is allocated for the video, wherein the first span of time is longer than the first time length. The system determines, prior to or at the first time period, a time difference between a current length of the video and the first span of time. At least partly in response to determining that the video has a time length shorter than the first span of time, the system selects supplemental content based at least in part of the determined time difference to be streamed to user terminals over a data network within the first time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Pluto Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Grouf, Ilya Pozin, Thomas Sieverding, Michael Price, Lindsey Emerson, Lynn D. Gabbay, Thomas V. Ryan, Audra E. Gold, Chan V. Hou
  • Patent number: 11265604
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and publishing content are described. A content item, such as a video, having a first time length, is identified by a system to be included in a program scheduled for a first time period. The video may be hosted on a third party system. A first span of time within the first program is allocated for the video, wherein the first span of time is longer than the first time length. The system determines, prior to or at the first time period, a time difference between a current length of the video and the first span of time. At least partly in response to determining that the video has a time length shorter than the first span of time, the system selects supplemental content based at least in part of the determined time difference to be streamed to user terminals over a data network within the first time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Pluto Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Grouf, Ilya Pozin, Thomas Sieverding, Michael Price, Lindsey Emerson, Lynn D. Gabbay, Thomas V. Ryan, Audra E. Gold, Chan V. Hou
  • Publication number: 20220046293
    Abstract: Systems and methods enable video on demand playback startup times to be reduced. A redirect database is populated with redirect locators. A request from a device for an item of primary video content is received. A static manifest file is generated including locators corresponding to the requested item of primary video content and redirect database entries storing redirect locators to default interstitial media. The static manifest file is transmitted to the device. Potential items of interstitial media are identified by sources of interstitial media, and a first item of interstitial media is selected. A redirect locator in the redirect database is replaced with a redirect locator corresponding to the selected interstitial media. A request is received from the device directed to the redirect database location storing the redirect locator corresponding to the selected interstitial media. The selected interstitial media is streamed to the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventor: Chan V. Hou
  • Patent number: 11178433
    Abstract: Systems and methods enable video on demand playback startup times to be reduced. A redirect database is populated with redirect locators. A request from a device for an item of primary video content is received. A static manifest file is generated including locators corresponding to the requested item of primary video content and redirect database entries storing redirect locators to default interstitial media. The static manifest file is transmitted to the device. Potential items of interstitial media are identified by sources of interstitial media, and a first item of interstitial media is selected. A redirect locator in the redirect database is replaced with a redirect locator corresponding to the selected interstitial media. A request is received from the device directed to the redirect database location storing the redirect locator corresponding to the selected interstitial media. The selected interstitial media is streamed to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Pluto Inc.
    Inventor: Chan V. Hou
  • Publication number: 20210204010
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and transmitting content are described in the illustrative context of electronic program guides and program channels. Data is received over a network from a first user terminal that enables identification of the first user. Program information for a digital program is accessed. A determination is made as to how many interstitials are to be presented during a playback of the digital program. A prediction model is selected and executed to generate predictions of user responses to one or more placements of program interstitials. The user response predictions are used to determine positioning of interstitials with respect to the program. The interstitials are enabled to be displayed on the first user terminal in accordance with the determined positioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventor: Chan V. Hou
  • Publication number: 20210168452
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and publishing content are described. A content item, such as a video, having a first time length, is identified by a system to be included in a program scheduled for a first time period. The video may be hosted on a third party system. A first span of time within the first program is allocated for the video, wherein the first span of time is longer than the first time length. The system determines, prior to or at the first time period, a time difference between a current length of the video and the first span of time. At least partly in response to determining that the video has a time length shorter than the first span of time, the system selects supplemental content based at least in part of the determined time difference to be streamed to user terminals over a data network within the first time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Grouf, Ilya Pozin, Thomas Sieverding, Michael Price, Lindsey Emerson, Lynn D. Gabbay, Thomas V. Ryan, Audra E. Gold, Chan V. Hou
  • Publication number: 20210160551
    Abstract: Systems and methods enable video on demand playback startup times to be reduced. A redirect database is populated with redirect locators. A request from a device for an item of primary video content is received. A static manifest file is generated including locators corresponding to the requested item of primary video content and redirect database entries storing redirect locators to default interstitial media. The static manifest file is transmitted to the device. Potential items of interstitial media are identified by sources of interstitial media, and a first item of interstitial media is selected. A redirect locator in the redirect database is replaced with a redirect locator corresponding to the selected interstitial media. A request is received from the device directed to the redirect database location storing the redirect locator corresponding to the selected interstitial media. The selected interstitial media is streamed to the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventor: Chan V. Hou
  • Patent number: 10939168
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and publishing content are described. A content item, such as a video, having a first time length, is identified by a system to be included in a program scheduled for a first time period. The video may be hosted on a third party system. A first span of time within the first program is allocated for the video, wherein the first span of time is longer than the first time length. The system determines, prior to or at the first time period, a time difference between a current length of the video and the first span of time. At least partly in response to determining that the video has a time length shorter than the first span of time, the system selects supplemental content based at least in part of the determined time difference to be streamed to user terminals over a data network within the first time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Pluto Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Grouf, Ilya Pozin, Thomas Sieverding, Michael Price, Lindsey Emerson, Lynn D. Gabbay, Thomas V. Ryan, Audra E. Gold, Chan V. Hou