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: 20250119606
    Abstract: A prediction model is generated for a user using data regarding how the user responded to different positionings of items of ancillary content. The prediction model is used to determine respective positionings of a plurality of items of ancillary content. The items of ancillary content are streamed to and displayed by a user device as interstitial content using the determined respective positionings. Frames of an item of primary content may be analyzed to identify appropriate interstitial insertion points and to generate labels. The labels may be utilized by a remote system to select and stream interstitial content for the insertion points. The user's location may be determined and used to determine a maximum amount of ancillary content for a corresponding time period. Different amounts of ancillary content for a given time period may be provided to different users based on a registration state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Inventors: Chan V. Hou, Spencer Adam Shanson, Pavlo Kalmykov Vasilievich, Jonathan Michael Jesperson, Adrian Chiu, Steven Ernest Riedl, Upendra Mohan Sharma, Dinh Khang Duong, Clayton Andrew Marshall
  • Patent number: 12256129
    Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure related to methods and systems configured to distribute interactive media, such as videos, streamed or downloaded over a network and to enable efficient content discovery. An aspect relates to enabling a user to interactively navigate through representations of video content by drilling up to broader genre categories or down to narrower genre categories. An aspect relates to the generation of customized content from existing content using a learning engine and user characteristics. The learning engine may comprise a neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Pluto Inc.
    Inventor: Chan V. Hou
  • Publication number: 20250080799
    Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure relates to methods and systems configured to control video content rendering on a user device. After primary streaming content has been rendered on the user device using a first aspect ratio, streaming of secondary content to the user device is detected. The first aspect ratio is automatically changed to a second aspect ratio in response to detecting the streaming of secondary content, wherein the second aspect ratio is configured to enable frames of the secondary content to be fully rendered on the user device, wherein tops, bottoms, and sides of the secondary content are not cut off or obscured. An end of the streaming of the secondary content is detected, and at least partly in response to detecting the end of the streaming of the secondary content, the first aspect ratio is restored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Inventor: Chan V. Hou
  • Publication number: 20240406502
    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: August 16, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    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: 20240340471
    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: June 20, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Inventor: Chan V. Hou
  • Publication number: 20240314378
    Abstract: Systems and methods are configured to manage streaming video content across multiple devices. An optical code in a first item of content is detected. The first item of content is streamed to a first device of a user. Other devices of the user proximate to the first user device are detected via signal strengths of respective signals received at the first user device from one or more of the other user devices. In response to detecting a second user device is proximate to the first device and to detecting the optical code in the first item of content, a prompt is displayed on the first device. In response to detecting a user interaction with the prompt, a second item of content is streamed to and displayed on the second device of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Chan V. Hou, Spencer Shanson, Pavlo Kalmykov Vasilievich, Jonathan Michael Jesperson, Adrian Chiu, Bryan Randall Fish, Jonathan Jovan Gwiazda, Sonia Priya Hashim
  • Publication number: 20240305854
    Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure related to methods and systems configured to distribute interactive media, such as videos, streamed or downloaded over a network and to enable efficient content discovery. An aspect relates to enabling a user to interactively navigate through representations of video content by drilling up to broader genre categories or down to narrower genre categories. An aspect relates to the generation of customized content from existing content using a learning engine and user characteristics. The learning engine may comprise a neural network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventor: Chan V. Hou
  • Publication number: 20240305865
    Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure related to methods and systems configured to distribute interactive media, such as videos, streamed or downloaded over a network and to enable efficient content discovery. An aspect relates to enabling a user to interactively navigate through representations of video content by drilling up to broader genre categories or down to narrower genre categories. An aspect relates to the generation of customized content from existing content using a learning engine and user characteristics. The learning engine may comprise a neural network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventor: Chan V. Hou
  • Patent number: 12075120
    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: April 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    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: 12047615
    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: July 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Pluto Inc.
    Inventor: Chan V. Hou
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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