Patents by Inventor John R. Benson
John R. Benson 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).
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Patent number: 11109114Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product enables automation and control of the sales, management, accounting, reporting, and traffic functions necessary to manage advertisement sales, content management, and administrative processes for media production environments, including, but not limited to, broadcast television, radio and webcasting stations, and newspapers. The advertisement management and automation system operates on a PC-based platform and is networked for communications with local area networks, wide area networks, and the Internet, including both wired and wireless appliances. Distribution and tracking is enabled for both local and national advertisement and content management, whereby data, advertisements, content, and reports are pushed and pulled from individual nodes (e.g., television stations) to a central network hub or point that feeds and/or gathers data and communicates with the individual nodes.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: GRASS VALLEY CANADAInventors: Alex Holtz, Marcel LaRocque, John R Benson, William H Couch, Charles M Hoeppner, Benjamin Jay McAllister, Robert J Snyder, Keith Gregory Tingle
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Patent number: 10573347Abstract: A media production system for automatically controlling device parameters during a media production. In an exemplary aspect, the system includes a rundown markup interface generator that generates a rundown markup interface by populating one or more of an event timeline and a playlist during creation of a media production and that includes a macro event generated from a macro event template. The system further includes an automated media production system that on the fly prevents conflicts between device parameters of media production devices by automatically modifying a first variable in the macro template that is associated with a first device parameter of the device parameters in response to a change of one or more second variables that are associated with a second device parameter.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2017Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: GVBB HOLDINGS S.A.R.L.Inventor: John R. Benson
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Patent number: 10546612Abstract: A production system having a first production path, a second production path, and a control system that causes the first production path to generate a show in a first aspect ratio and the second production path to generate the same show in a second aspect ratio. Moreover, the product system can product a show from live material and from archived material. This aspect operates by producing a first show including multiple stories, segmenting the first show, and storing the show segments in an archive. Then, the system produces a second show using live portions as well as show segments retrieved from the archive. The product system can include a media manager that interacts with a server that may be integrated with the production system. The media manager automatically assigns channels/ports of the server when accessing material stored in the server.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2019Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: GVBB HOLDINGS S.A.R.L.Inventors: Alex Holtz, Robert J. Snyder, John R. Benson, William H. Couch, Marcel LaRocque, Charles M. Hoeppner, Keith Gregory Tingle, Richard Todd, Maurice Smith
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Publication number: 20190348077Abstract: A production system having a first production path, a second production path, and a control system that causes the first production path to generate a show in a first aspect ratio and the second production path to generate the same show in a second aspect ratio. Moreover, the product system can product a show from live material and from archived material. This aspect operates by producing a first show including multiple stories, segmenting the first show, and storing the show segments in an archive. Then, the system produces a second show using live portions as well as show segments retrieved from the archive. The product system can include a media manager that interacts with a server that may be integrated with the production system. The media manager automatically assigns channels/ports of the server when accessing material stored in the server.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2019Publication date: November 14, 2019Inventors: Alex HOLTZ, Robert J. SNYDER, John R. BENSON, William H. COUCH, Marcel LAROCQUE, Charles M. HOEPPNER, Keith Gregory TINGLE, Richard TODD, Maurice SMITH
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Patent number: 10360944Abstract: A production system having a first production path, a second production path, and a control system that causes the first production path to generate a show in a first aspect ratio and the second production path to generate the same show in a second aspect ratio. Moreover, the product system can product a show from live material and from archived material. This aspect operates by producing a first show including multiple stories, segmenting the first show, and storing the show segments in an archive. Then, the system produces a second show using live portions as well as show segments retrieved from the archive. The product system can include a media manager that interacts with a server that may be integrated with the production system. The media manager automatically assigns channels/ports of the server when accessing material stored in the server.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2018Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: GVBB HOLDINGS S.A.R.L.Inventors: Alex Holtz, Robert J. Snyder, John R. Benson, William H. Couch, Marcel Larocque, Charles M. Hoeppner, Keith Gregory Tingle, Richard Todd, Maurice Smith
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Patent number: 10210903Abstract: A production system having a first production path, a second production path, and a control system that causes the first production path to generate a show in a first aspect ratio and the second production path to generate the same show in a second aspect ratio. Moreover, the product system can product a show from live material and from archived material. This aspect operates by producing a first show including multiple stories, segmenting the first show, and storing the show segments in an archive. Then, the system produces a second show using live portions as well as show segments retrieved from the archive. The product system can include a media manager that interacts with a server that may be integrated with the production system. The media manager automatically assigns channels/ports of the server when accessing material stored in the server.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2018Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: GVBB HOLDINGS S.A.R.L.Inventors: Alex Holtz, Robert J. Snyder, John R. Benson, William H. Couch, Marcel Larocque, Charles M. Hoeppner, Keith Gregory Tingle, Richard Todd, Maurice Smith
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Publication number: 20180358051Abstract: A production system having a first production path, a second production path, and a control system that causes the first production path to generate a show in a first aspect ratio and the second production path to generate the same show in a second aspect ratio. Moreover, the product system can product a show from live material and from archived material. This aspect operates by producing a first show including multiple stories, segmenting the first show, and storing the show segments in an archive. Then, the system produces a second show using live portions as well as show segments retrieved from the archive. The product system can include a media manager that interacts with a server that may be integrated with the production system. The media manager automatically assigns channels/ports of the server when accessing material stored in the server.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2018Publication date: December 13, 2018Inventors: Alex HOLTZ, Robert J. SNYDER, John R. BENSON, William H. COUCH, Marcel LAROCQUE, Charles M. HOEPPNER, Keith Gregory TINGLE, Richard TODD, Maurice SMITH
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Patent number: 10056111Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for producing a show. In an embodiment, the invention is directed to a production system having a first production path, a second production path, and a control system that causes the first production path to generate a show in a first aspect ratio (4:3), and that causes the second production path to generate the same show in a second aspect ratio (16:9). In another embodiment, the invention is directed to producing a show from live material and from archived material. This aspect of the invention operates by producing a first show comprising a plurality of stories, segmenting the first show, and storing the show segments in an archive. Then, the invention produces a second show using live portions as well as show segments retrieved from the archive. The invention is also directed to a media manager that interacts with a server. In some cases, the server is integrated with the production system.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2015Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: GVBB HOLDINGS S.A.R.L.Inventors: Alex Holtz, Robert J. Snyder, John R. Benson, William H. Couch, Marcel LaRocque, Charles M. Hoeppner, Keith Gregory Tingle, Richard Todd, Maurice Smith
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Publication number: 20180047426Abstract: A media production system for automatically controlling device parameters during a media production. In an exemplary aspect, the system includes a rundown markup interface generator that generates a rundown markup interface by populating one or more of an event timeline and a playlist during creation of a media production and that includes a macro event generated from a macro event template. The system further includes an automated media production system that on the fly prevents conflicts between device parameters of media production devices by automatically modifying a first variable in the macro template that is associated with a first device parameter of the device parameters in response to a change of one or more second variables that are associated with a second device parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2017Publication date: February 15, 2018Inventor: John R. BENSON
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Patent number: 9812170Abstract: A method for updating a control event for controlling at least one device to produce audio visual content includes the steps of analyzing the control event to establish: (1) parameter(s) corresponding to the control event available for modification; and (2) parameter(s) of other control events influenced upon modification of at least one parameter corresponding to the control event, and modifying the parameter of the control event and other control events influenced thereby in response to user input changing at least one parameter of the control event available information.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2008Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: GVBB HOLDINGS S.A.R.L.Inventor: John R. Benson
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Patent number: 9711180Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for producing a show. In an embodiment, the invention is directed to a production system having a first production path, a second production path, and a control system that causes the first production path to generate a show in a first aspect ratio (4:3), and that causes the second production path to generate the same show in a second aspect ratio (16:9). In another embodiment, the invention is directed to producing a show from live material and from archived material. This aspect of the invention operates by producing a first show comprising a plurality of stories, segmenting the first show, and storing the show segments in an archive. Then, the invention produces a second show using live portions as well as show segments retrieved from the archive. The invention is also directed to a media manager that interacts with a server. In some cases, the server is integrated with the production system.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2014Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: GVBB HOLDINGS S.A.R.L.Inventors: Alex Holtz, Robert J. Snyder, John R. Benson, William H. Couch, Marcel Larocque, Charles M. Hoeppner, Keith Gregory Tingle, Richard Todd, Maurice Smith
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Patent number: 9558786Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for producing a show. In an embodiment, the invention is directed to a production system having a first production path, a second production path, and a control system that causes the first production path to generate a show in a first aspect ratio (4:3), and that causes the second production path to generate the same show in a second aspect ratio (16:9). In another embodiment, the invention is directed to producing a show from live material and from archived material. This aspect of the invention operates by producing a first show comprising a plurality of stories, segmenting the first show, and storing the show segments in an archive. Then, the invention produces a second show using live portions as well as show segments retrieved from the archive. The invention is also directed to a media manager that interacts with a server. In some cases, the server is integrated with the production system.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: GVBB HOLDINGS S.A.R.L.Inventors: Alex Holtz, Robert J. Snyder, John R. Benson, William H. Couch, Marcel Larocque, Charles M. Hoeppner, Keith Gregory Tingle, Richard Todd, Maurice Smith
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Publication number: 20160118082Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for producing a show. In an embodiment, the invention is directed to a production system having a first production path, a second production path, and a control system that causes the first production path to generate a show in a first aspect ratio (4:3), and that causes the second production path to generate the same show in a second aspect ratio (16:9). In another embodiment, the invention is directed to producing a show from live material and from archived material. This aspect of the invention operates by producing a first show comprising a plurality of stories, segmenting the first show, and storing the show segments in an archive. Then, the invention produces a second show using live portions as well as show segments retrieved from the archive. The invention is also directed to a media manager that interacts with a server. In some cases, the server is integrated with the production system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: Alex Holtz, Robert J. Snyder, John R. Benson, William H. Couch, Marcel Larocque, Charles M. Hoeppner, Keith Gregory Tingle, Richard Todd, Maurice Smith
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Publication number: 20160118081Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for producing a show. In an embodiment, the invention is directed to a production system having a first production path, a second production path, and a control system that causes the first production path to generate a show in a first aspect ratio (4:3), and that causes the second production path to generate the same show in a second aspect ratio (16:9). In another embodiment, the invention is directed to producing a show from live material and from archived material. This aspect of the invention operates by producing a first show comprising a plurality of stories, segmenting the first show, and storing the show segments in an archive. Then, the invention produces a second show using live portions as well as show segments retrieved from the archive. The invention is also directed to a media manager that interacts with a server. In some cases, the server is integrated with the production system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: Alex HOLTZ, Robert J. SNYDER, John R. BENSON, William H. COUCH, Marcel LAROCQUE, Charles M. HOEPPNER, Keith Gregory TINGLE, Richard TODD, Maurice SMITH
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Patent number: 9123380Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for producing a show. In an embodiment, the invention is directed to a production system having a first production path, a second production path, and a control system that causes the first production path to generate a show in a first aspect ratio (4:3), and that causes the second production path to generate the same show in a second aspect ratio (16:9). In another embodiment, the invention is directed to producing a show from live material and from archived material. This aspect of the invention operates by producing a first show comprising a plurality of stories, segmenting the first show, and storing the show segments in an archive. Then, the invention produces a second show using live portions as well as show segments retrieved from the archive. The invention is also directed to a media manager that interacts with a server. In some cases, the server is integrated with the production system.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2003Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: GVBB HOLDINGS S.A.R.L.Inventors: Alex Holtz, Robert J. Snyder, John R. Benson, William H. Couch, Marcel LaRocque, Charles M. Hoeppner, Keith Gregory Tingle, Richard Todd, Maurice Smith
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Publication number: 20150063787Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for producing a show. In an embodiment, the invention is directed to a production system having a first production path, a second production path, and a control system that causes the first production path to generate a show in a first aspect ratio (4:3), and that causes the second production path to generate the same show in a second aspect ratio (16:9). In another embodiment, the invention is directed to producing a show from live material and from archived material. This aspect of the invention operates by producing a first show comprising a plurality of stories, segmenting the first show, and storing the show segments in an archive. Then, the invention produces a second show using live portions as well as show segments retrieved from the archive. The invention is also directed to a media manager that interacts with a server. In some cases, the server is integrated with the production system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Alex HOLTZ, Robert J. SNYDER, John R. BENSON, William H. COUCH, Marcel LAROCQUE, Charles M. HOEPPNER, Keith Gregory TINGLE, Richard TODD, Maurice SMITH
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Patent number: 8726187Abstract: A macro element template is replicated to build a macro element library. A macro element is associated with executable instructions for controlling a plurality of production devices to produce a special effect or segment of a media production. One or more automation control objects are positioned onto a control interface to build a macro element template. Build information is associated with each automation control object to assign a variable name, device type, property page field(s), and variable naming table. A replicator control interface allows a range of sources to be assigned to the macro element template, and is associated with executable instructions for building the macro element library. The macro element library includes user-defined filenames that enables a director to quickly search and select a desired macro element. Changes in production values ripple throughout the macro element library to dynamically update the macro elements.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2009Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Robert J. Snyder, John R. Benson, Kevin K. Morrow, Alex Holtz, William H. Couch, Richard Todd, Maurice Smith
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Patent number: 8661366Abstract: A macro element template is replicated to build a macro element library. A macro element is associated with executable instructions for controlling a plurality of production devices to produce a special effect or segment of a media production. One or more automation control objects are positioned onto a control interface to build a macro element template. Build information is associated with each automation control object to assign a variable name, device type, property page field(s), and variable naming table. A replicator control interface allows a range of sources to be assigned to the macro element template, and is associated with executable instructions for building the macro element library. The macro element library includes user-defined filenames that enables a director to quickly search and select a desired macro element. Changes in production values ripple throughout the macro element library to dynamically update the macro elements.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2009Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Robert J. Snyder, John R. Benson, Kevin K. Morrow, Alex Holtz, William H. Couch, Richard Todd, Maurice Smith
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Patent number: 8432496Abstract: A method for auto channel assignment in a live television production system allows the user to assign physical play out channels to an auto pool of channels. The user need only create a single transition macro event (TME) template, which at the time of playout, causes the production system to assign an available channel from the auto pool of channels, without requiring any further user intervention.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2008Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventor: John R. Benson
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Publication number: 20110122321Abstract: A method for auto channel assignment in a live television production system allows the user to assign physical play out channels to an auto pool of channels. The user need only create a single transition macro event (TME) template, which at the time of playout, causes the production system to assign an available channel from the auto pool of channels, without requiring any further user intervention.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2008Publication date: May 26, 2011Inventor: John R. Benson