Patents by Inventor Kenneth Michel

Kenneth Michel 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: 10484723
    Abstract: There is provided a content automation system and a method for use by the content automation system for issuing a content management message for use in a program stream. In one implementation, such a content automation system comprises a processor and a memory, and a stream messaging module residing in the memory. The stream messaging module is configured to issue the content management message by embedding a command sequence as metadata in a container data structure, and inserting the container data structure into the program stream. The command sequence authorizes a replacement of program stream content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Martin, Daniel Siewers, William Hooper, David Potter, Richard Hill, Michael Strein, Kenneth Michel, Alfredo Vincenty, James Casabella, David Converse, Guy Beverlin
  • Publication number: 20190151175
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a connector system of a patient support apparatus for inflating and/or deflating a mattress and facilitating the installation, detachment and interchange of various inflatable mattresses of the patient support apparatus, particularly inflatable mattresses for hospital beds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: HUNTLEIGH TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Randall Paul KELCH, Glenn C. STROH, Kenneth Michel KNOWLES
  • Patent number: 10070184
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a content distribution system that removes time-dependent promotional content before providing a recording of a media presentation (e.g., show or program) to a video-on-demand (VOD) provider. To receive Nielsen credit for a subscriber watching a recording of the media presentation using VOD, the recording must be almost the same as the live version of the media presentation which includes the original program content and the commercial advertisements shown during commercial breaks. However, some shows also include promotional content that a telecommunication or cable provider adds to the media presentation to promote other shows or events being broadcasted later. By the time the user views the recording, however, the promotional content may already be outdated. The embodiments herein describe techniques for removing time-dependent promotional content from a media presentation before the recording of the media presentation is sent to VOD providers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Machanic, Robert Jensen, Hugh McGuire, Raul Rapalo, Michael Strein, Vladislav Feldman, Jeffrey Corwin, Kenneth Michel
  • Patent number: 9888265
    Abstract: There is provided a content automation system and a method for use by the content automation system for issuing a content management message for use in a program stream. In one implementation, such a content automation system comprises a processor and a memory, and a stream messaging module residing in the memory. The stream messaging module is configured to issue the content management message by embedding a command sequence as metadata in a container data structure, and inserting the container data structure into the program stream. The command sequence authorizes a replacement of program stream content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Martin, Daniel Siewers, William Hooper, David Potter, Richard Hill, Michael Strein, Kenneth Michel, Alfredo Vincenty, James Casabella, David Converse, Guy Beverlin
  • Publication number: 20180027263
    Abstract: There is provided a content automation system and a method for use by the content automation system for issuing a content management message for use in a program stream. In one implementation, such a content automation system comprises a processor and a memory, and a stream messaging module residing in the memory. The stream messaging module is configured to issue the content management message by embedding a command sequence as metadata in a container data structure, and inserting the container data structure into the program stream. The command sequence authorizes a replacement of program stream content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Martin, Daniel Siewers, William Hooper, David Potter, Richard Hill, Michael Strein, Kenneth Michel, Alfredo Vincenty, James Casabella, David Converse, Guy Beverlin
  • Publication number: 20180007434
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a content distribution system that removes time-dependent promotional content before providing a recording of a media presentation (e.g., show or program) to a video-on-demand (VOD) provider. To receive Nielsen credit for a subscriber watching a recording of the media presentation using VOD, the recording must be almost the same as the live version of the media presentation which includes the original program content and the commercial advertisements shown during commercial breaks. However, some shows also include promotional content that a telecommunication or cable provider adds to the media presentation to promote other shows or events being broadcasted later. By the time the user views the recording, however, the promotional content may already be outdated. The embodiments herein describe techniques for removing time-dependent promotional content from a media presentation before the recording of the media presentation is sent to VOD providers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Steven MACHANIC, Robert JENSEN, Hugh MCGUIRE, Raul RAPALO, Michael STREIN, Vladislav FELDMAN, Jeffrey CORWIN, Kenneth MICHEL
  • Patent number: 9729926
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a content distribution system that removes time-dependent promotional content before providing a recording of a media presentation (e.g., show or program) to a video-on-demand (VOD) provider. To receive Nielsen credit for a subscriber watching a recording of the media presentation using VOD, the recording must be almost the same as the live version of the media presentation which includes the original program content and the commercial advertisements shown during commercial breaks. However, some shows also include promotional content that a telecommunication or cable provider adds to the media presentation to promote other shows or events being broadcasted later. By the time the user views the recording, however, the promotional content may already be outdated. The embodiments herein describe techniques for removing time-dependent promotional content from a media presentation before the recording of the media presentation is sent to VOD providers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Machanic, Robert Jensen, Hugh McGuire, Raul Rapalo, Michael Strein, Vladislav Feldman, Jeffrey Corwin, Kenneth Michel
  • Publication number: 20170150191
    Abstract: Systems and method of reconfiguring content portions of video prior to broadcast to end consumers are presented herein. High dynamic range (HDR) content portions may be mixed with non-HDR content portions in a video. Non-HDR content portions may be identified and reconfigure to increase its dynamic range to give a more seamless appearance and interaction with HDR content portions within the video. In some implementations, individual content portions may be reconfigured such that parameter values of content parameters having a bit depth corresponding to non-HDR content may be substituted with substitute values having a bit depth that correspond to HDR content and/or other content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Michael J. Strein, Kenneth Michel
  • Publication number: 20130205332
    Abstract: There is provided a content automation system and a method for use by the content automation system for issuing a content management message for use in a program stream. In one implementation, such a content automation system comprises a processor and a memory, and a stream messaging module residing in the memory. The stream messaging module is configured to issue the content management message by embedding a command sequence as metadata in a container data structure, and inserting the container data structure into the program stream. The command sequence authorizes a replacement of program stream content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Martin, Daniel Siewers, William Hooper, David Potter, Richard Hill, Michael Strein, Kenneth Michel, Alfredo Vincenty, James Casabella, David Converse, Guy Beverlin
  • Publication number: 20110258656
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for providing television application channel sync (TACS). There is provided a method comprising determining a channel presently tuned from a plurality of tunable channels, applying a plurality of business rules to the channel to present, on a display, a list of selectable television applications from a plurality of television applications requiring access to a network, associating the channel to a selection of television applications from the list, and rendering the selection of television applications concurrently with the channel on the display while the channel is presently tuned. The business rules may be flexibly configured to prevent television applications from displaying unsuitable, unrelated or irrelevant content with channel video content, thus providing a unified and coherent presentation for viewers while preserving the intended messages of primary programming content providers and advertising partners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth Michel
  • Publication number: 20090031379
    Abstract: There is provided a method for use by a processing device for providing a broadcast program and Web content associated with the broadcast program. According to one embodiment, the method includes selecting a broadcast channel and receiving a broadcast program on the broadcast channel. The broadcast program can be, for example, a movie or a television show. The method further includes determining a Web site associated with the broadcast channel. In one embodiment, the Web site can be a dynamic Web site hosted by a channel link server. The method further includes receiving Web content associated with the broadcast program from the Web site. In one embodiment, the Web content is synchronized with the broadcast program based on a program schedule. The method further includes providing the Web content and the broadcast program to an output display contemporaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: Kenneth Michel