Patents by Inventor Erik J. Elstermann

Erik J. Elstermann 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: 11949929
    Abstract: Systems and methods for allowing different presentations of a multimedia program, the different presentation delayed relative to each other, by using a delay manifest that includes a sliding window of links to subordinate manifests, and where the subordinate manifests in turn contain links to sequential segments of the multimedia program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Erik J. Elstermann, Todd T. Kassman, Robert L Seymour
  • Publication number: 20230048454
    Abstract: A method is provided to provide configuration information from a broadcast network controller (BNC) to a decoder in an HTTP live streaming (HLS) network. The method includes the steps of: (a) initiating a configuration event notification by the BNC; (b) writing the configuration information as file; (c) announcing the configuration information as a SCTE-104 request; (d) translating the SCTE-104 request into an SCTE-35 message; (e) translating the SCTE-35 message into an HLS playlist file; and (f) retrieving the HLS playlist file at the decoder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: ARRIS Enterprises LLC
    Inventor: Erik J. Elstermann
  • Patent number: 11503353
    Abstract: A method to provide configuration information from a broadcast network controller (BNC) to a decoder in an HTTP live streaming (HLS) network. The method includes the steps of: (a) initiating a configuration event notification by the BNC; (b) writing the configuration information as file; (c) announcing the configuration information as a SCTE-104 request; (d) translating the SCTE-104 request into an SCTE-35 message; (e) translating the SCTE-35 message into an HLS playlist file; and (f) retrieving the HLS playlist file at the decoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC
    Inventor: Erik J. Elstermann
  • Publication number: 20220239961
    Abstract: Systems and methods for allowing different presentations of a multimedia program, the different presentation delayed relative to each other, by using a delay manifest that includes a sliding window of links to subordinate manifests, and where the subordinate manifests in turn contain links to sequential segments of the multimedia program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: ARRIS Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Erik J. ELSTERMANN, Todd T. KASSMAN, Robert L. SEYMOUR
  • Publication number: 20200322657
    Abstract: A method and system provide the ability to deliver media content. A packager receives an original encrypted transport stream, and segments the stream into multiple fixed-duration transport stream files (chunks). The packager further generates a manifest file that describes the chunks and is consistent with a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) live streaming (HLS) protocol. The manifest file and chunks are delivered to a content delivery network (CDN). An enhanced HLS client is embed in an integrated receiver decoder (IRD). The enhanced HLS client retrieves the manifest file and the chunks from the CDN, and reconstructs the original encrypted transport stream for use by a service provider network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: ARRIS Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Erik J. Elstermann, Todd T. Kassman, Michael A. Casteloes, Mark L. Schaffer, John R. Shumate, Robert L. Seymour
  • Publication number: 20200162778
    Abstract: A method is provided to provide configuration information from a broadcast network controller (BNC) to a decoder in an HTTP live streaming (HLS) network. The method includes the steps of: (a) initiating a configuration event notification by the BNC; (b) writing the configuration information as file; (c) announcing the configuration information as a SCTE-104 request; (d) translating the SCTE-104 request into an SCTE-35 message; (e) translating the SCTE-35 message into an HLS playlist file; and (f) retrieving the HLS playlist file at the decoder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventor: Erik J. Elstermann
  • Patent number: 9998775
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method including receiving program event information indicating whether a media asset is to be presented with supplemental content, receiving, from a client, a request for a media-segment file corresponding to the media asset for consumption at the client, determining whether the program event information indicates that the media asset is to be presented with the supplemental content, and restricting trick-play operations in response to the program event information indicating that the media asset is to be presented with the supplemental content and restriction criteria are met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Tarbox, Erik J. Elstermann, Barry P. Falvo
  • Publication number: 20170150190
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method including receiving program event information indicating whether a media asset is to be presented with supplemental content, receiving, from a client, a request for a media-segment file corresponding to the media asset for consumption at the client, determining whether the program event information indicates that the media asset is to be presented with the supplemental content, and restricting trick-play operations in response to the program event information indicating that the media asset is to be presented with the supplemental content and restriction criteria are met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Brian J. Tarbox, Erik J. Elstermann, Barry Falvo
  • Patent number: 9537920
    Abstract: Disclosed is a comprising generating a top level manifest file for a media asset or stream that includes program event information, providing the top level manifest file and corresponding element manifest files to a real-time adaptive bitrate (“ABR”) packager, and receiving a request for a media-segment file from a client, wherein the ABR packager is configured to interpret the program event information, and wherein the ABR packager is configured to restrict trick-play operations if a program event is detected in a requested media-segment file and restriction criteria are met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Tarbox, Erik J. Elstermann, Barry P. Falvo
  • Patent number: 9479834
    Abstract: A system is provided for coordinating the presentation of program content received from a first network and a second network independent from the first network. The system uses heartbeat messages typically transmitted along communication paths to monitor the operation of the communications paths to transmit information necessary for stream switching to alternate programming or alternate sources of the same programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik J. Elstermann, Michael A. Casteloes
  • Publication number: 20160127779
    Abstract: A system is provided for coordinating the presentation of program content received from a first network and a second network independent from the first network. The system uses heartbeat messages typically transmitted along communication paths to monitor the operation of the communications paths to transmit information necessary for stream switching to alternate programming or alternate sources of the same programming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Erik J. Elstermann, Michael A. Casteloes
  • Patent number: 8904425
    Abstract: A media content broadcast blackout control method, comprising receiving a retune message requesting a blackout of a primary media content broadcast in specific regions, generating a playlist for each region comprising a content key wrapped in a region-specific media key, wherein the content key in the playlists for regions that are not subject to the blackout is configured to access the primary media content broadcast, and the content key in the playlists for regions that are subject to the blackout is configured to access an alternate media content broadcast, providing the playlists to client devices within each region, providing the primary media content broadcast to client devices whose region-specific media key unwraps the content key for the primary media content broadcast, and providing the alternate media content broadcast to client devices whose region-specific media key unwraps the content key for the alternate primary media content broadcast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Niranjan R. Samant, Erik J. Elstermann, Robert E. Mack, Erik C. Metz, Lawrence D. Vince
  • Publication number: 20140282682
    Abstract: A media content broadcast blackout control method, comprising receiving a retune message requesting a blackout of a primary media content broadcast in specific regions, generating a playlist for each region comprising a content key wrapped in a region-specific media key, wherein the content key in the playlists for regions that are not subject to the blackout is configured to access the primary media content broadcast, and the content key in the playlists for regions that are subject to the blackout is configured to access an alternate media content broadcast, providing the playlists to client devices within each region, providing the primary media content broadcast to client devices whose region-specific media key unwraps the content key for the primary media content broadcast, and providing the alternate media content broadcast to client devices whose region-specific media key unwraps the content key for the alternate primary media content broadcast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Niranjan R. Samant, Erik J. Elstermann, Robert E. Mack, Erik C. Metz, Lawrence D. Vince
  • Publication number: 20130311670
    Abstract: Disclosed is a comprising generating a top level manifest file for a media asset or stream that includes program event information, providing the top level manifest file and corresponding element manifest files to a real-time adaptive bitrate (“ABR”) packager, and receiving a request for a media-segment file from a client, wherein the ABR packager is configured to interpret the program event information, and wherein the ABR packager is configured to restrict trick-play operations if a program event is detected in a requested media-segment file and restriction criteria are met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Tarbox, Erik J. Elstermann, Barry P. Falvo
  • Patent number: 7765600
    Abstract: A method for authorizing a computer program having a number of features for use with a product includes: receiving license data generated using a first key, the license data specifying a unique identifier associated with the product and specifying at least one feature authorized for use with the product; using a second key associated with the first key, obtaining the unique identifier from the license data; retrieving a product identifier from the product; determining whether the unique identifier corresponds to the product identifier; and based on the determination, authorizing use of the at least one feature with the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Jeri L. Saunders, Annie O. Chen, Erik J. Elstermann, John I. Okimoto
  • Patent number: 7526001
    Abstract: A statistical multiplexer includes a plurality of primary encoders 120 and at least one backup encoder 130 which is activated a primary encoder fails. The statistical multiplexer also includes at least two multiplexers 140,160 such that at any given time one of the multiplexers 140,160 is in an active state and the other is in a backup state. The encoders 120, 130, the multiplexers 140, 160, and a rate processor 150 employ a dynamic identity allocation arrangement for identifying a source of the messages such that messages originating from the encoders 120, 130 indicate whether the source is a primary 120 or backup encoder 130 and messages originating from the multiplexers 140, 160 include a character selected from among a predetermined sequence of characters that is incremented to the next character in the sequence each time one of the multiplexers 140, 160 transitions between an active and a backup state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: John Sanders, Erik J. Elstermann, Siu-Wai Wu
  • Publication number: 20080101405
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing bandwidth of video and data over DSL is disclosed. Incoming packets of data are first inspected to determine if the data is video data or other (non-video) data. The video data is further analyzed to determine if it is intended for real-time delivery to the subscriber or if the video data is intended for viewing at a later time by the subscriber. Video data intended for real-time delivery to the subscriber is re-compressed to optimize the video quality. Statistical multiplexing is performed on the video data for real-time delivery, the video data for viewing at a later time, and the non-video data. The bandwidth needs for the video data for real-time delivery, the video data for viewing at a later time, and the non-video data are all evaluated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL INSTRUMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin S. Wirick, Erik J. Elstermann, Ajay K. Luthra