Patents by Inventor Mark B. Hurst
Mark B. Hurst 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: 10171534Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to support placeshifting of adaptive media streams. A home device acts as an intermediary that passes requests for segments of an adaptive stream from a remote device to a content source. The content source responds with the requested segments, which are forwarded to the remote device. A connection service may be provided to facilitate placeshifting sessions between home and remote devices.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2017Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: DISH TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.Inventors: Darren Major, Mark B. Hurst
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Patent number: 10165032Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to support multiple audio tracks in an adaptive media stream. Segments of the adaptive stream are encoded so that the player is able to locate and request a specific one of the available audio tracks using byte range requests or the like. Audio content can be removed from video segments, or at least moved to the end of the segments so that a byte range request obtains just the video content when the default audio is not desired. The audio content can be obtained from a separate audio segment. Indeed, multiple audio tracks can be packaged into a common audio segment so that byte range requests can obtain just the particular audio track desired.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: DISH TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventor: Mark B. Hurst
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Patent number: 10165034Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for maintaining a programming lineup of adaptive-bitrate content streaming is provided. The apparatus includes a timeline module configured to maintain a programming lineup of media content available over a network. The media content may comprise a plurality of streamlets. The apparatus also includes at least one data module configured to maintain multi-bitrate streamlet information. The system includes the apparatus and a client module configured to acquire content based upon the programming lineup provided by the timeline module. The method includes maintaining a programming lineup of media content available over a network, and maintaining multi-bitrate streamlet information.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2017Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: DISH TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.Inventors: Mark B. Hurst, David F. Brueck
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Publication number: 20180359505Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing trick play functions such as fast forward, rewind or slow motion during playback of streaming media content. Multiple sets of streamlets or other media files that represent the same media stream are encoded differently from each other (e.g., at different frame rates and/or frame directions), and each set of files is simultaneously maintained at a server. Files encoded at a first format are made available to the client device during regular playback, and files encoded at a different frame rate and/or a different direction of encoding are made available to support trick play.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2018Publication date: December 13, 2018Applicant: DISH Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: MARK B. HURST
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Patent number: 10116722Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for maintaining a programming lineup of adaptive-bitrate content streaming is provided. The apparatus includes a timeline module configured to maintain a programming lineup of media content available over a network. The media content may comprise a plurality of streamlets. The apparatus also includes at least one data module configured to maintain multi-bitrate streamlet information. The system includes the apparatus and a client module configured to acquire content based upon the programming lineup provided by the timeline module. The method includes maintaining a programming lineup of media content available over a network, and maintaining multi-bitrate streamlet information.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2014Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: DISH TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Mark B. Hurst, David F. Brueck
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Publication number: 20180295174Abstract: An apparatus for multi-bitrate content streaming includes a receiving module configured to capture media content, a streamlet module configured to segment the media content and generate a plurality of streamlets, and an encoding module configured to generate a set of streamlets. The system includes the apparatus, wherein the set of streamlets comprises a plurality of streamlets having identical time indices and durations, and each streamlet of the set of streamlets having a unique bitrate, and wherein the encoding module comprises a master module configured to assign an encoding job to one of a plurality of host computing modules in response to an encoding job completion bid. A method includes receiving media content, segmenting the media content and generating a plurality of streamlets, and generating a set of streamlets.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2018Publication date: October 11, 2018Applicant: DISH Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: DAVID F. BRUECK, MARK B. HURST, R. DREW MAJOR
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Patent number: 10075744Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing trick play functions such as fast forward, rewind or slow motion during playback of streaming media content. Multiple sets of streamlets or other media files that represent the same media stream are encoded differently from each other (e.g., at different frame rates and/or frame directions), and each set of files is simultaneously maintained at a server. Files encoded at a first format are made available to the client device during regular playback, and files encoded at a different frame rate and/or a different direction of encoding are made available to support trick play.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2016Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: DISH TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.Inventor: Mark B. Hurst
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Patent number: 10051025Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for estimating packet loss during media streaming over a data connection. A media player requests segments of an adaptive media stream and monitors variance in the amounts of data received. Increased variance in the amounts of data received can be directly correlated to a higher packet loss experienced by the data connection. The media player can use the estimated packet loss to adapt subsequent segment requests, or to otherwise subsequent behavior by the media player.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2013Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: DISH TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.Inventor: Mark B. Hurst
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Publication number: 20180198835Abstract: Systems, devices and processes are described to adapt segment requests placed by an autonomous media player during media streaming to compensate for fluctuations in the bandwidth consumed by the requested segments due to variances in the underlying video content. By providing predictive data about the bandwidth consumption of upcoming video segments, client devices can adapt requests for future segments accordingly. Further, predictive consumption data can be shared between players operating within shared bandwidth to assist players needing additional bandwidth for upcoming video sequences.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2018Publication date: July 12, 2018Applicant: Echostar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: Mark B. Hurst
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Patent number: 9998516Abstract: An apparatus for multi-bitrate content streaming includes a receiving module configured to capture media content, a streamlet module configured to segment the media content and generate a plurality of streamlets, and an encoding module configured to generate a set of streamlets. The system includes the apparatus, wherein the set of streamlets comprises a plurality of streamlets having identical time indices and durations, and each streamlet of the set of streamlets having a unique bitrate, and wherein the encoding module comprises a master module configured to assign an encoding job to one of a plurality of host computing modules in response to an encoding job completion bid. A method includes receiving media content, segmenting the media content and generating a plurality of streamlets, and generating a set of streamlets.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2017Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: DISH TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.Inventors: David F. Brueck, Mark B. Hurst, R. Drew Major
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Publication number: 20180098044Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to arbitrate network bandwidth that is shared between multiple video players executing concurrently on one or more client platforms that each have at least one video data stream supplied over a data network. An amount of bandwidth available from the data network is determined. An arbitration module calculates whether the selected video players can sustain a video playback quality above a pre-defined threshold using the determined amount of bandwidth available, and a modify playback message is sent to at least one video player when the video playback quality is not sustainable. Various implementations could prioritize bandwidth based upon the content presented so that high-bandwidth scenes (e.g., action sequences) receive more bandwidth than more static scenes.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Applicant: Echostar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: MARK B. HURST
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Patent number: 9930084Abstract: Systems, devices and processes are described to adapt segment requests placed by an autonomous media player during media streaming to compensate for fluctuations in the bandwidth consumed by the requested segments due to variances in the underlying video content. By providing predictive data about the bandwidth consumption of upcoming video segments, client devices can adapt requests for future segments accordingly. Further, predictive consumption data can be shared between players operating within shared bandwidth to assist players needing additional bandwidth for upcoming video sequences.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2015Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventor: Mark B. Hurst
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Publication number: 20180063212Abstract: A system and method are provided of minimizing network bandwidth used from an external network by client peers in a local network. The method can include the operation of organizing a plurality of clients each having media streamlets and a client parent in a structure within the local network. Mapping information propagates through the structure. The mapping information represents local streamlet locations as stored by the plurality of clients. Another operation is retrieving a local streamlet from a client identified in the mapping information as having the local streamlet for the requesting client.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2017Publication date: March 1, 2018Applicant: Echostar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: MARK B. HURST, LOREN LARSON, DAVID S. ANDERSON, LEI WANG
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Publication number: 20180034875Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to support placeshifting of adaptive media streams. A home device acts as an intermediary that passes requests for segments of an adaptive stream from a remote device to a content source. The content source responds with the requested segments, which are forwarded to the remote device. A connection service may be provided to facilitate placeshifting sessions between home and remote devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Applicant: Echostar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Darren Major, Mark B. Hurst
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Publication number: 20170366594Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for maintaining a programming lineup of adaptive-bitrate content streaming is provided. The apparatus includes a timeline module configured to maintain a programming lineup of media content available over a network. The media content may comprise a plurality of streamlets. The apparatus also includes at least one data module configured to maintain multi-bitrate streamlet information. The system includes the apparatus and a client module configured to acquire content based upon the programming lineup provided by the timeline module. The method includes maintaining a programming lineup of media content available over a network, and maintaining multi-bitrate streamlet information.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2017Publication date: December 21, 2017Applicant: Echostar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Mark B. Hurst, David F. Brueck
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Patent number: 9832442Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to arbitrate network bandwidth that is shared between multiple video players executing concurrently on one or more client platforms that each have at least one video data stream supplied over a data network. An amount of bandwidth available from the data network is determined. An arbitration module calculates whether the selected video players can sustain a video playback quality above a pre-defined threshold using the determined amount of bandwidth available, and a modify playback message is sent to at least one video player when the video playback quality is not sustainable. Various implementations could prioritize bandwidth based upon the content presented so that high-bandwidth scenes (e.g., action sequences) receive more bandwidth than more static scenes.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventor: Mark B. Hurst
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Patent number: 9813472Abstract: A system and method are provided of minimizing network bandwidth used from an external network by client peers in a local network. The method can include the operation of organizing a plurality of clients each having media streamlets and a client parent in a structure within the local network. Mapping information propagates through the structure. The mapping information represents local streamlet locations as stored by the plurality of clients. Another operation is retrieving a local streamlet from a client identified in the mapping information as having the local streamlet for the requesting client.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Mark B. Hurst, Loren Larson, David S. Anderson, Lei Wang
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Publication number: 20170311048Abstract: Various systems, methods and devices adaptively manage the multicast delivery of multiple media programs. Each of the media programs is encoded into multiple media streams, each stream having a different bitrate, frame rate, resolution or other encoding parameter. A computer receives feedback about the delivery of the multiple streams and automatically adapts the number of streams available for at least one of the multiple media programs in response to the received feedback. This allows resources to be applied to those multicast streams having the greatest user demand.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Applicant: Echostar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Robert Drew Major, Mark B. Hurst, Herrick Muhlestein
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Publication number: 20170279863Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing multiple video players executing on a client software platform. The method includes the operation of displaying a plurality of video players viewable by an end user. Each video player can have at least one video data stream supplied over a data network. A priority value can be applied to selected video players. In addition, an amount of bandwidth available from the data network to supply the plurality of video players can then be determined. Another operation is calculating whether the selected video players can sustain a video playback quality above a pre-defined threshold using the determined amount of bandwidth available.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2017Publication date: September 28, 2017Applicant: Echostar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Mark B. Hurst, David S. Anderson, Krysta L. Hurst
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Patent number: 9756100Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to support placeshifting of adaptive media streams. A home device acts as an intermediary that passes requests for segments of an adaptive stream from a remote device to a content source. The content source responds with the requested segments, which are forwarded to the remote device. A connection service may be provided to facilitate placeshifting sessions between home and remote devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Darren Major, Mark B. Hurst