Patents by Inventor Mitch C. Jacobs

Mitch C. Jacobs 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: 9681102
    Abstract: A system and method includes a first automation system generating a first run log a first on air status and a second automation system generating a second run log having a second on-air status. A billing module receives a consolidated run log corresponding to the first on-air status from the first run log and the second on-air status from the second run log.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Mitch C. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 9277182
    Abstract: A system and method includes an automation system generating a modified content signal from a content signal by inserting insertion material into the content signal during a break and a monitoring system monitoring the content signal. The automation system controls the automation system to return to the content signal in response to monitoring the content signal when the break ends on the content signal before an end of the insertion material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Mitch C. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 9247285
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a signal includes a monitoring display and an automation system receiving the content signal and either captures an I-frame of the content signal or encodes the content signal into an MPEG signal. The automation system communicates the I-frame or MPEG encoded signal to a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Mitch C. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 9003465
    Abstract: A communication system 10 includes a content processing system 12 and a distribution system 14. The content processing system 12 receives content and stores the content in a first file format in the content repository 40. A workflow system 54 determines a target for the content and routes the content to a content converter 64 corresponding to the target. The content converter 60 converts the content and forms a second file in a second format different than the first format. The content repository 40 stores the second file therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitch C. Jacobs, Mitchell B. Wasden, Hanno Basse, Ranny Q. Sue
  • Patent number: 8938751
    Abstract: A system and method includes a content repository storing insert material therein and a scheduling system assigning an insert material identification to the insert material and generating an insertion schedule having an insertion time corresponding to the insert material identification. The system also includes an automation server in communication with the scheduling system. The automation server receives the insertion schedule, retrieves the insertion material from the content repository, stores the content therein in response to the insertion time, receives a content signal with a trigger and inserts the insert material into the content signal in response to the trigger and the trigger time to form a modified content signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Mitch C. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 8875209
    Abstract: A system and method for receiving data in a content processing system includes a receiving system receiving content and metadata, an incoming folder storing the content and a content management system receiving a notice signal corresponding to receiving of content and metadata. The content management system generates a material identification for the content, creating an inventory list at the content management system and communicating the matter identification to the workflow system. The workflow system processes the content into formatted files and storing the formatted files in a broadcast folder. The content management system communicates conditional access data to video transport processing system. The workflow system communicates a status message to the content management system when the formatted files are stored in the broadcast folder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Mitch C. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 8185922
    Abstract: A system and method for distributing requested content includes a content management system 12 and a device 14 such as a set top box that selects a selection corresponding to content in the content management system 12 and transmits a first material identification to the content management system. The content management system 12 transmits the content to the device with a second material identification associated therewith. The device 14 receives the content and the second material identification and compares the first material identification to the second material identification. When the second material identification corresponds to the content, the device continues downloading the content. When the second material identification does not correspond to the content, downloading of the file is discontinued. A content prefix may also be used alone or in combination with the material identification. The content is prevented from being transmitted if the content prefix does not correspond to the content type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Deanna R. Kidd, Mitch C. Jacobs, Aspandyar M. Jijina, Sui-Ky R. Ling, Michael R. Munsell, Xavier D. Riley, Jeffrey L. Sharkey, Haydee C. Silva, Ranny Q. Sue
  • Patent number: 8127328
    Abstract: A method and system includes a scheduling system generating a pre-break window and a post-break window and an automation system in communication with the scheduling system receiving a content signal and generating a deviation signal when an expected trigger for an insert material is not within the pre-break window or post-break window. The scheduling system reschedules the insert material in response to the deviation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Mitch C. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 7926081
    Abstract: A system and method includes an automation system and a scheduling system generating a schedule having a countdown time for a countdown clock assembly and communicating the schedule to an automation system. The system also includes a content repository storing promotional content and a clock background in the content repository. The automation system retrieves the promotional content and the clock background from the content repository, stores the promotional content and the clock background, forms a countdown clock assembly from the promotional content and the clock background and inserts the countdown clock assembly into a channel signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Mitch C. Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20090070803
    Abstract: A method and system includes a scheduling system generating a pre-break window and a post-break window and an automation system in communication with the scheduling system receiving a content signal and generating a deviation signal when an expected trigger for an insert material is not within the pre-break window or post-break window. The scheduling system reschedules the insert material in response to the deviation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: Mitch C. Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20090070799
    Abstract: A system and method includes an automation system receiving a content signal and generating a run log in response to the content signal, an encoder and a monitoring system monitoring an encoder and generating an encoder status signal. The automation system updates the run log in response to the encoder status signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: Mitch C. Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20090070802
    Abstract: A system and method includes an automation system generating a modified content signal from a content signal by inserting insertion material into the content signal during a break and a monitoring system monitoring the content signal. The automation system controls the automation system to return to the content signal in response to monitoring the content signal when the break ends on the content signal before an end of the insertion material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: Mitch C. Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20090070837
    Abstract: A system and method includes an automation system and a scheduling system generating a schedule having a countdown time for a countdown clock assembly and communicating the schedule to an automation system. The system also includes a content repository storing promotional content and a clock background in the content repository. The automation system retrieves the promotional content and the clock background from the content repository, stores the promotional content and the clock background, forms a countdown clock assembly from the promotional content and the clock background and inserts the countdown clock assembly into a channel signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: Mitch C. Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20090070808
    Abstract: A system and method includes a first automation system generating a first run log a first on air status and a second automation system generating a second run log having a second on-air status. A billing module receives a consolidated run log corresponding to the first on-air status from the first run log and the second on-air status from the second run log.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: Mitch C. Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20090070807
    Abstract: A system and method includes a content repository storing insert material therein and a scheduling system assigning an insert material identification to the insert material and generating an insertion schedule having an insertion time corresponding to the insert material identification. The system also includes an automation server in communication with the scheduling system. The automation server receives the insertion schedule, retrieves the insertion material from the content repository, stores the content therein in response to the insertion time, receives a content signal with a trigger and inserts the insert material into the content signal in response to the trigger and the trigger time to form a modified content signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: Mitch C. Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20090067489
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a signal includes a monitoring display and an automation system receiving the content signal and either captures an I-frame of the content signal or encodes the content signal into an MPEG signal. The automation system communicates the I-frame or MPEG encoded signal to a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: Mitch C. Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20090031377
    Abstract: A system and method for receiving data in a content processing system includes a receiving system receiving content and metadata, an incoming folder storing the content and a content management system receiving a notice signal corresponding to receiving of content and metadata. The content management system generates a material identification for the content, creating an inventory list at the content management system and communicating the matter identification to the workflow system. The workflow system processes the content into formatted files and storing the formatted files in a broadcast folder. The content management system communicates conditional access data to video transport processing system. The workflow system communicates a status message to the content management system when the formatted files are stored in the broadcast folder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: MITCH C. JACOBS
  • Publication number: 20090030941
    Abstract: A methods and system for normalizing data in a content processing system includes a content receiving system receiving a content file having content file metadata in metadata categories associated therewith and an asset management system in communication with the receiving system and having a required metadata category list and a provider metadata category list. The asset management system generates a failure signal when the metadata for each metadata category in the metadata category list is not present and forms provider metadata from the content file metadata when the metadata for a provider metadata category in the metadata category is not present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: Mitch C. Jacobs