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).

  • Patent number: 11109114
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: GRASS VALLEY CANADA
    Inventors: Alex Holtz, Marcel LaRocque, John R Benson, William H Couch, Charles M Hoeppner, Benjamin Jay McAllister, Robert J Snyder, Keith Gregory Tingle
  • Patent number: 10573347
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: GVBB HOLDINGS S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: John R. Benson
  • Patent number: 10546612
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20190348077
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Alex HOLTZ, Robert J. SNYDER, John R. BENSON, William H. COUCH, Marcel LAROCQUE, Charles M. HOEPPNER, Keith Gregory TINGLE, Richard TODD, Maurice SMITH
  • Patent number: 10360944
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 10210903
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20180358051
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Alex HOLTZ, Robert J. SNYDER, John R. BENSON, William H. COUCH, Marcel LAROCQUE, Charles M. HOEPPNER, Keith Gregory TINGLE, Richard TODD, Maurice SMITH
  • Patent number: 10056111
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20180047426
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventor: John R. BENSON
  • Patent number: 9812170
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: GVBB HOLDINGS S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: John R. Benson
  • Patent number: 9711180
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 9558786
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20160118081
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Alex HOLTZ, Robert J. SNYDER, John R. BENSON, William H. COUCH, Marcel LAROCQUE, Charles M. HOEPPNER, Keith Gregory TINGLE, Richard TODD, Maurice SMITH
  • Publication number: 20160118082
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Alex Holtz, Robert J. Snyder, John R. Benson, William H. Couch, Marcel Larocque, Charles M. Hoeppner, Keith Gregory Tingle, Richard Todd, Maurice Smith
  • Patent number: 9123380
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20150063787
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Alex HOLTZ, Robert J. SNYDER, John R. BENSON, William H. COUCH, Marcel LAROCQUE, Charles M. HOEPPNER, Keith Gregory TINGLE, Richard TODD, Maurice SMITH
  • Patent number: 8726187
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Robert J. Snyder, John R. Benson, Kevin K. Morrow, Alex Holtz, William H. Couch, Richard Todd, Maurice Smith
  • Patent number: 8661366
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Robert J. Snyder, John R. Benson, Kevin K. Morrow, Alex Holtz, William H. Couch, Richard Todd, Maurice Smith
  • Patent number: 8432496
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: John R. Benson
  • Publication number: 20110122321
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: John R. Benson