Patents by Inventor John Clayton Clark, IV

John Clayton Clark, IV 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: 10187702
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a control server from a first terminal, first input selecting a first media device and a second media device. The first media device and the second media device are coupled to a media switch. The method includes updating control data to generate updated control data in response to the first input. The updated control data associates the first media device with a location of a facility. The location is associated with a port number of a particular controller. The method also includes sending a signal from the control server to the media switch to instruct the media switch to send a first video output of the first media device and a second video output of the second media device to the first terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Hung John Pham, John Clayton Clark, IV, Shane M. Elliott
  • Patent number: 9723361
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring video assets provided by a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes an expert test monitoring platform (ETMP) configured to emulate MCDN client systems at a facility of an MCDN service provider. The ETMP may allow execution of ETMP scripts that specify remote control commands to send to a desired plurality of multimedia handling devices representing emulated MCDN clients. The ETMP scripts may be manually or automatically initiated and may be configured with execution parameters specifying, among other aspects, a number of iterations to repeat. Results recorded when the ETMP script executes may be retrieved and used to generate reports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Hung John Pham, John Clayton Clark, IV, Shane Michael Elliott
  • Publication number: 20170188113
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a control server from a first terminal, first input selecting a first media device and a second media device. The first media device and the second media device are coupled to a media switch. The method includes updating control data to generate updated control data in response to the first input. The updated control data associates the first media device with a location of a facility. The location is associated with a port number of a particular controller. The method also includes sending a signal from the control server to the media switch to instruct the media switch to send a first video output of the first media device and a second video output of the second media device to the first terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Hung John Pham, John Clayton Clark, IV, Shane M. Elliott
  • Patent number: 9635428
    Abstract: A particular method includes receiving, at a control server from a user terminal, input selecting at least one media device that generates media output in an output format. The method includes sending a signal from the control server to a media switch to couple an output of the at least one media device to the user terminal. The media output of the at least one media device is sent to the user terminal in the output format when the output is coupled to the user terminal. The method includes receiving, at the control server from the user terminal, a command to be performed by the at least one media device. The method also includes sending command data from the control server to one or more controllers associated with the at least one media device. The at least one media device is controlled based on the command data to perform the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Hung John Pham, John Clayton Clark, IV, Shane M. Elliott
  • Publication number: 20160044375
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring video assets provided by a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes an expert test monitoring platform (ETMP) configured to emulate MCDN client systems at a facility of an MCDN service provider. The ETMP may allow execution of ETMP scripts that specify remote control commands to send to a desired plurality of multimedia handling devices representing emulated MCDN clients. The ETMP scripts may be manually or automatically initiated and may be configured with execution parameters specifying, among other aspects, a number of iterations to repeat. Results recorded when the ETMP script executes may be retrieved and used to generate reports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Hung John Pham, John Clayton Clark, IV, Shane Michael Elliott
  • Patent number: 9172950
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring video assets provided by a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes an expert test monitoring platform (ETMP) configured to emulate MCDN client systems at a facility of an MCDN service provider. The ETMP may allow execution of ETMP scripts that specify remote control commands to send to a desired plurality of multimedia handling devices representing emulated MCDN clients. The ETMP scripts may be manually or automatically initiated and may be configured with execution parameters specifying, among other aspects, a number of iterations to repeat. Results recorded when the ETMP script executes may be retrieved and used to generate reports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Hung John Pham, John Clayton Clark, IV, Shane Michael Elliott
  • Patent number: 9071821
    Abstract: A method and system for test monitoring video assets provided by a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes an expert test monitoring platform (ETMP) configured to emulate MCDN client systems at a facility of an MCDN service provider. The ETMP may be used to test monitor MCDN performance by acquiring a baseband video signal and performing a test operation. The test operation may involve determining if a video freeze event and/or an audio freeze event has occurred with respect to the baseband video signal. In one example, detection of both an audio and a video freeze event may determine a freeze event for an MHD. After a freeze event is detected, the MHD may be restarted. The freeze event may be logged as a result of the test operation. A predetermined network address may be sent a notification of the freeze alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Hung John Pham, John Clayton Clark, IV
  • Patent number: 8966555
    Abstract: A method and system for performance monitoring of a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes a probe device configured to capture input and output data with respect to a network terminal device at an MCDN client premises. The input data, representing network data sent to the MCDN client for display, may be buffered along with the output data, representing audio and video data generated using the input data. When an anomaly event, such as a display error, occurs, the probe device may record the buffered input and output data, including data acquired prior to the anomaly event. The input and output data may be analyzed to determine a source or origin of the anomaly event. The probe device may also certify that the MCDN and/or the network terminal device was operating normally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Hung John Pham, John Clayton Clark, IV
  • Patent number: 8352994
    Abstract: A method and system for test monitoring video assets provided by a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes an expert test monitoring platform (ETMP) configured to emulate MCDN client systems at a facility of an MCDN service provider. The ETMP may be used to test monitor MCDN performance by acquiring a baseband video signal and performing a test operation. The test operation may involve determining if a video freeze event and/or an audio freeze event has occurred with respect to the baseband video signal. In one example, detection of both an audio and a video freeze event may determine a freeze event for an MHD. After a freeze event is detected, the MHD may be restarted. The freeze event may be logged as a result of the test operation. A predetermined network address may be sent a notification of the freeze alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Hung John Pham, John Clayton Clark, IV
  • Publication number: 20120143359
    Abstract: A particular method includes receiving, at a control server from a user terminal, input selecting at least one media device that generates media output in an output format. The method includes sending a signal from the control server to a media switch to couple an output of the at least one media device to the user terminal. The media output of the at least one media device is sent to the user terminal in the output format when the output is coupled to the user terminal. The method includes receiving, at the control server from the user terminal, a command to be performed by the at least one media device. The method also includes sending command data from the control server to one or more controllers associated with the at least one media device. The at least one media device is controlled based on the command data to perform the command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Hung John Pham, John Clayton Clark, IV, Shane M. Elliott
  • Publication number: 20120144410
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring video assets provided by a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes an expert test monitoring platform (ETMP) configured to emulate MCDN client systems at a facility of an MCDN service provider. The ETMP may allow execution of ETMP scripts that specify remote control commands to send to a desired plurality of multimedia handling devices representing emulated MCDN clients. The ETMP scripts may be manually or automatically initiated and may be configured with execution parameters specifying, among other aspects, a number of iterations to repeat. Results recorded when the ETMP script executes may be retrieved and used to generate reports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Hung John Pham, John Clayton Clark, IV, Shane Michael Elliott
  • Publication number: 20120066735
    Abstract: A method and system for performance monitoring of a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes a probe device configured to capture input and output data with respect to a network terminal device at an MCDN client premises. The input data, representing network data sent to the MCDN client for display, may be buffered along with the output data, representing audio and video data generated using the input data. When an anomaly event, such as a display error, occurs, the probe device may record the buffered input and output data, including data acquired prior to the anomaly event. The input and output data may be analyzed to determine a source or origin of the anomaly event. The probe device may also certify that the MCDN and/or the network terminal device was operating normally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Hung John Pham, John Clayton Clark, IV
  • Publication number: 20120050545
    Abstract: A method and system for test monitoring video assets provided by a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes an expert test monitoring platform (ETMP) configured to emulate MCDN client systems at a facility of an MCDN service provider. The ETMP may be used to test monitor MCDN performance by acquiring a baseband video signal and performing a test operation. The test operation may involve determining if a video freeze event and/or an audio freeze event has occurred with respect to the baseband video signal. In one example, detection of both an audio and a video freeze event may determine a freeze event for an MHD. After a freeze event is detected, the MHD may be restarted. The freeze event may be logged as a result of the test operation. A predetermined network address may be sent a notification of the freeze alert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Hung John Pham, John Clayton Clark, IV