Patents by Inventor Michael L. LaJoie
Michael L. LaJoie 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: 8438243Abstract: Personal content server apparatus and associated methods that allow a user (e.g., cable or satellite network subscriber) to access content, such as a video program, from a location outside the subscriber's network. In one embodiment, a personal content server streams the content to the subscriber over a network connection from the local e.g., (subscription) network to a remote network upon authorization by a content manager process. Various access, business or operational rules are applied depending on the content and delivery mode; e.g., to live video broadcast, video-on-demand (VOD), or archived content from the subscriber's digital video recorder (DVR) or networked PVR. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively replaced if desired in order to make the remotely delivered content more appropriate to the remote user's context.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2010Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCInventors: Michael L. LaJoie, Michael Hayashi
-
Publication number: 20130104176Abstract: In response to a request initiated by a user at a user terminal, selected entertainment programming content, when broadcast, is recorded at a location remote from the user terminal. The request is communicated through a communications network, e.g., cable TV network, which is also used for transmission of entertainment programming content to user terminals. The recorded programming content is stored in a storage space at the remote location, which is allocated to the user terminal. In response to a review request from the user terminal, the recorded programming content is retrieved from the storage space allocated thereto, and transmitted to the user terminal through the communications network. The presentation of the recorded programming content may be manipulated by the user to perform rewinding, pausing and fast-forwarding thereon.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Inventors: Carl U.J. Rossetti, Michael L. Lajoie, Michael T. Hayashi
-
Patent number: 8341246Abstract: Personal content server apparatus and associated methods that allow a user (e.g., cable or satellite network subscriber) to access content, such as a video program, from a location outside the subscriber's network. In one embodiment, a personal content server streams the content to the subscriber over a network connection from the local e.g., (subscription) network to a remote network upon authorization by a content manager process. Various access, business or operational rules are applied depending on the content and delivery mode; e.g., to live video broadcast, video-on-demand (VOD), or archived content from the subscriber's digital video recorder (DVR) or networked PVR. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively replaced if desired in order to make the remotely delivered content more appropriate to the remote user's context.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2012Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Time Warner Cable Inc.Inventors: Michael L. LaJoie, Michael Hayashi
-
Patent number: 8331768Abstract: In response to a request initiated by a user at a user terminal, selected entertainment programming content, when broadcast, is recorded at a location remote from the user terminal. The request is communicated through a communications network, e.g., cable TV network, which is also used for transmission of entertainment programming content to user terminals. The recorded programming content is stored in a storage space at the remote location, which is allocated to the user terminal. In response to a review request from the user terminal, the recorded programming content is retrieved from the storage space allocated thereto, and transmitted to the user terminal through the communications network. The presentation of the recorded programming content may be manipulated by the user to perform rewinding, pausing and fast-forwarding thereon.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2008Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Time Warner Cable, Inc.Inventors: Carl U. J. Rossetti, Michael L. LaJoie, Michael T. Hayashi
-
Publication number: 20120180080Abstract: Methods and apparatus for conserving bandwidth within a network based on two or more different service levels. In an exemplary embodiment, programming that is simulcast on two or more program channels is mapped to one physical channel during periods when the programming is scheduled at only one service level (e.g., standard definition), thereby conserving bandwidth on the network that would otherwise be consumed by the simultaneous broadcast on the two or more channels. When the programming service level becomes heterogeneous across the channels (e.g., SD and HD simulcast), physical channel(s) supporting the HD content are provided within a local service area only “on-demand” using, for example, a switched digital channel allocation. Accordingly, no HD broadcast occurs within a given area until at least one user requests it, thereby further conserving network bandwidth.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2012Publication date: July 12, 2012Inventor: MICHAEL L. LAJOIE
-
Publication number: 20120157043Abstract: Personal content server apparatus and associated methods that allow a user (e.g., cable or satellite network subscriber) to access content, such as a video program, from a location outside the subscriber's network. In one embodiment, a personal content server streams the content to the subscriber over a network connection from the local e.g., (subscription) network to a remote network upon authorization by a content manager process. Various access, business or operational rules are applied depending on the content and delivery mode; e.g., to live video broadcast, video-on-demand (VOD), or archived content from the subscriber's digital video recorder (DVR) or networked PVR. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively replaced if desired in order to make the remotely delivered content more appropriate to the remote user's context.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2012Publication date: June 21, 2012Inventors: Michael L. LaJoie, Michael Hayashi
-
Patent number: 8078696Abstract: Personal content server apparatus and associated methods that allow a user (e.g., cable or satellite network subscriber) to access content, such as a video program, from a location outside the subscriber's network. In one embodiment, a personal content server streams the content to the subscriber over a network connection from the local e.g., (subscription) network to a remote network upon authorization by a content manager process. Various access, business or operational rules are applied depending on the content and delivery mode; e.g., to live video broadcast, video-on-demand (VOD), or archived content from the subscriber's digital video recorder (DVR) or networked PVR. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively replaced if desired in order to make the remotely delivered content more appropriate to the remote user's context.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2010Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Time Warner Cable Inc.Inventors: Michael L. LaJoie, Michael Hayashi
-
Publication number: 20110107379Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivery of packetized content (e.g., video, audio, data, etc.) over a content delivery network. In one embodiment, the content is packetized using an Internet Protocol (IP), and delivered by a service provider over both managed and unmanaged networks to subscribers of the provider, so as to provide delivery at any time, at any location, and via any designated user device. The delivered content may originate from the service provider, third-party content sources (e.g., networks or studios), the subscriber(s) themselves, or other sources including the Internet. Use of a common control and service functions within the network afford the ability to integrate or blend services together, thereby affording the service provider and subscriber new service and economic opportunities. Content delivery sessions may also be migrated from one device to another. A network-based user interface infrastructure, and gateway-based client-side architecture, are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventors: Michael L. Lajoie, Louis Williamson, Wilfrid Aissi, Chris Cholas, Jason Gaedtke, Kenneth Gould, Glen Hardin, Charles Hasek, Vedavati Hegde, Jeffery P. Markley, Vipul Patel, Howard Pfeffer
-
Publication number: 20110103374Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivery of packetized content (e.g., video, audio, data, etc.) over a content delivery network. In one embodiment, the content is packetized using an Internet Protocol (IP), and delivered by a service provider over both managed and unmanaged networks to subscribers of the provider, so as to provide delivery at any time, at any location, and via any designated user device. The delivered content may originate from the service provider, third-party content sources (e.g., networks or studios), the subscriber(s) themselves, or other sources including the Internet. Use of a common control and service functions within the network afford the ability to integrate or blend services together, thereby affording the service provider and subscriber new service and economic opportunities. Content delivery sessions may also be migrated from one device to another. A network-based user interface infrastructure, and gateway-based client-side architecture, are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventors: Michael L. Lajoie, Louis Williamson, Wilfrid Aissi, Chris Cholas, Jason Gaedtke, Kenneth Gould, Glen Hardin, Charles Hasek, Vedavati Hegde, Jeffery P. Markley, Vipul Patel, Howard Pfeffer
-
Publication number: 20110107364Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivery of packetized content (e.g., video, audio, data, etc.) over a content delivery network. In one embodiment, the content is packetized using an Internet Protocol (IP), and delivered by a service provider over both managed and unmanaged networks to subscribers of the provider, so as to provide delivery at any time, at any location, and via any designated user device. The delivered content may originate from the service provider, third-party content sources (e.g., networks or studios), the subscriber(s) themselves, or other sources including the Internet. Use of a common control and service functions within the network afford the ability to integrate or blend services together, thereby affording the service provider and subscriber new service and economic opportunities. Content delivery sessions may also be migrated from one device to another. A network-based user interface infrastructure, and gateway-based client-side architecture, are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventors: Michael L. Lajoie, Louis Williamson, Wilfrid Aissi, Chris Cholas, Jason Gaedtke, Kenneth Gould, Glen Hardin, Charles Hasek, Vedavati Hegde, Jeffery P. Markley, Vipul Patel, Howard Pfeffer
-
Publication number: 20100162367Abstract: Personal content server apparatus and associated methods that allow a user (e.g., cable or satellite network subscriber) to access content, such as a video program, from a location outside the subscriber's network. In one embodiment, a personal content server streams the content to the subscriber over a network connection from the local e.g., (subscription) network to a remote network upon authorization by a content manager process. Various access, business or operational rules are applied depending on the content and delivery mode; e.g., to live video broadcast, video-on-demand (VOD), or archived content from the subscriber's digital video recorder (DVR) or networked PVR. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively replaced if desired in order to make the remotely delivered content more appropriate to the remote user's context.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2010Publication date: June 24, 2010Inventors: Michael L. LaJoie, Michael Hayashi
-
Publication number: 20100153237Abstract: Personal content server apparatus and associated methods that allow a user (e.g., cable or satellite network subscriber) to access content, such as a video program, from a location outside the subscriber's network. In one embodiment, a personal content server streams the content to the subscriber over a network connection from the local e.g., (subscription) network to a remote network upon authorization by a content manager process. Various access, business or operational rules are applied depending on the content and delivery mode; e.g., to live video broadcast, video-on-demand (VOD), or archived content from the subscriber's digital video recorder (DVR) or networked PVR. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively replaced if desired in order to make the remotely delivered content more appropriate to the remote user's context.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2010Publication date: June 17, 2010Inventors: Michael L. LaJoie, Michael Hayashi
-
Patent number: 7694323Abstract: A user may purchase in a retail outlet a host device for receiving cable services. The cable operator needs to provide a point-of-deployment (POD) module for insertion into the host device to realize out-of-band communications, and provide conditional access to premium subscription channels. Security measures are implemented to detect removal of the host device from its connection to a broadband communications system. If its removal is unauthorized, the service area in which the host device is located may be identified when it is reconnected to the system. In addition, a transmission device in the host device may be activated to transmit detectable signals to help recover the host device.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2004Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Time Warner Cable, Inc.Inventors: Michael L. LaJoie, James J. Braun
-
Publication number: 20090210916Abstract: A user may purchase in a retail outlet a host device for receiving cable services. The cable operator needs to provide a point-of-deployment (POD) module for insertion into the host device to realize out-of-band communications, and provide conditional access to premium subscription channels. Security measures are implemented to detect removal of the host device from its connection to a broadband communications system. If its removal is unauthorized, the service area in which the host device is located may be identified when it is reconnected to the system. In addition, a transmission device in the host device may be activated to transmit detectable signals to help recover the host device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2009Publication date: August 20, 2009Applicant: Time Warner Cable Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Lajoie, James J. Braun
-
Publication number: 20090187939Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selecting and delivering advertising or promotional content based on, e.g., the attributes of a desired demographic. In one embodiment, the invention enhances advertising or promotional penetration into a particular demographic of a network subscriber pool by correlating the advertising/promotion (and even the contextual program content) with specific users or groups of users within the pool. This approach decouples the advertising or promotion from any given program or lineup, and gives the network operator flexibility in deciding where, when, and how often to insert advertisements or promotions in order to achieve the desired result. Dynamic network architectures such as broadcast switched architectures can also be leveraged to further enhance flexibility and targeting precision. In effect, the network advertising or promotion model is made results-driven (versus program-centric).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2008Publication date: July 23, 2009Inventor: Michael L. Lajoie
-
Patent number: 7546621Abstract: A full service cable television system and method are provided. The system comprises a cable headend, at least one fiber transport, at least one distribution hub, at least one hybrid fiber coax plant, and a plurality of set-top terminals. The system delivers television programs, advanced cable services, and online services. Programs and services are transmitted to the set-top terminals in both digital and analog formats to maintain downward compatibility with existing systems. The set-top terminal includes a central processing unit, a unified memory architecture, a memory management unit, communications circuitry, I/O control circuitry, and audio and video output circuitry. Through these components, the set-top terminal provides advanced cable services such as a comprehensive channel navigator, an interactive program guide, impulse Pay-Per-View, Near-Video-On-Demand and Video-On-Demand programming, and advanced configuration controls.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2004Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P.Inventors: Michael L LaJoie, Joseph G Buehl, Waig H Krakirian, Stephen M Johnson, Ralph W Brown
-
Publication number: 20090077587Abstract: In response to a request initiated by a user at a user terminal, selected entertainment programming content, when broadcast, is recorded at a location remote from the user terminal. The request is communicated through a communications network, e.g., cable TV network, which is also used for transmission of entertainment programming content to user terminals. The recorded programming content is stored in a storage space at the remote location, which is allocated to the user terminal. In response to a review request from the user terminal, the recorded programming content is retrieved from the storage space allocated thereto, and transmitted to the user terminal through the communications network. The presentation of the recorded programming content may be manipulated by the user to perform rewinding, pausing and fast-forwarding thereon.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Inventors: Carl U.J. Rosetti, Michael L. LaJoie, Michael T. Hayashi
-
Patent number: 7457520Abstract: In response to a request initiated by a user at a user terminal, selected entertainment programming content, when broadcast, is recorded at a location remote from the user terminal. The request is communicated through a communications network, e.g., cable TV network, which is also used for transmission of entertainment programming content to user terminals. The recorded programming content is stored in a storage space at the remote location, which is allocated to the user terminal. In response to a review request from the user terminal, the recorded programming content is retrieved from the storage space allocated thereto, and transmitted to the user terminal through the communications network. The presentation of the recorded programming content may be manipulated by the user to perform rewinding, pausing and fast-forwarding thereon.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2003Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Time Warner Cable, Inc.Inventors: Carl U. J. Rossetti, Michael L. LaJoie, Michael T. Hayashi
-
Publication number: 20070276926Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods that allow a user (e.g., cable or satellite network subscriber) to access content, such as a video program, from a location outside the subscriber's network, with dynamic or adaptive insertion of secondary content (e.g., advertisements or promotions) that are more relevant for that context. In one embodiment, a personal content server streams the content to the subscriber over a network connection from the local e.g., (subscription) network to a remote network upon authorization by a content manager process; secondary content is evaluated and selectively inserted or replaced depending on factors such as the user's remote location, the configuration of their platform, the date and time of their access request, and/or the subject matter of the primary content.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2006Publication date: November 29, 2007Inventors: Michael L. LaJoie, Michael Hayashi, Steven Riedl
-
Publication number: 20040123325Abstract: Tutorial information is provided on an on-demand basis over a digital two-way multichannel broadband communications network, e.g., cable TV network, which is also used for transmission of entertainment programming content. The tutorial information may relate to the access, control and viewing of the programming content. In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, in response to a request for tutorial information initiated by a user, a graphical user interface (GUI) is provided, which lists tutorial topics for user selection. Upon a selection of a tutorial topic, the related tutorial presentation is transmitted to the user, which may be in the form of a video presentation, slideshow presentation and/or textual displays. The tutorial presentation may be manipulated by the user to perform rewinding, pausing and fast-forwarding thereon.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2002Publication date: June 24, 2004Inventors: Charles W. Ellis, Michael L. Lajoie, Julie Simon Knight