Patents by Inventor Neville A. Black

Neville A. Black 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: 11711564
    Abstract: A method and system for planning and running video-on-demand (VOD) advertising includes a planner for planning advertising campaigns and an ad selector for running selected advertisements from selected ones of the campaigns. The campaigns are associated with household demographic classifications, video content category categories, household geographic locations, and/or video viewing times. In response to a viewer requesting a video, the selector selects the campaigns corresponding to the demographic classification associated with the viewer, the content category of the requested video, the geographic location associated with the viewer, and/or the viewing time at which the requested video is viewed. The demographic classification is determined by using an identifier of the viewer's set-top-box. The selector may select the campaigns corresponding to the content categories of the requested video. The content categories are determined by using an identifier associated with the requested video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Neville A. Black
  • Publication number: 20220060773
    Abstract: A method and system for planning and running video-on-demand (VOD) advertising includes a planner for planning advertising campaigns and an ad selector for running selected advertisements from selected ones of the campaigns. The campaigns are associated with household demographic classifications, video content category categories, household geographic locations, and/or video viewing times. In response to a viewer requesting a video, the selector selects the campaigns corresponding to the demographic classification associated with the viewer, the content category of the requested video, the geographic location associated with the viewer, and/or the viewing time at which the requested video is viewed. The demographic classification is determined by using an identifier of the viewer's set-top-box. The selector may select the campaigns corresponding to the content categories of the requested video. The content categories are determined by using an identifier associated with the requested video.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventor: Neville A. Black
  • Publication number: 20210400328
    Abstract: A method and system for planning and running video-on-demand (VOD) advertising includes a planner for planning advertising campaigns and an ad selector for running selected advertisements from selected ones of the campaigns. The campaigns are associated with household demographic classifications, video content category categories, household geographic locations, and/or video viewing times. In response to a viewer requesting a video, the selector selects the campaigns corresponding to the demographic classification associated with the viewer, the content category of the requested video, the geographic location associated with the viewer, and/or the viewing time at which the requested video is viewed. The demographic classification is determined by using an identifier of the viewer's set-top-box. The selector may select the campaigns corresponding to the content categories of the requested video. The content categories are determined by using an identifier associated with the requested video.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventor: Neville A. Black
  • Patent number: 10999618
    Abstract: A method and system for planning and running video-on-demand (VOD) advertising includes a planner for planning advertising campaigns and an ad selector for running selected advertisements from selected ones of the campaigns. The campaigns are associated with household demographic classifications, video content category categories, household geographic locations, and/or video viewing times. In response to a viewer requesting a video, the selector selects the campaigns corresponding to the demographic classification associated with the viewer, the content category of the requested video, the geographic location associated with the viewer, and/or the viewing time at which the requested video is viewed. The demographic classification is determined by using an identifier of the viewer's set-top-box. The selector may select the campaigns corresponding to the content categories of the requested video. The content categories are determined by using an identifier associated with the requested video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Neville A. Black
  • Publication number: 20200374576
    Abstract: A method and system for planning and running video-on-demand (VOD) advertising includes a planner for planning advertising campaigns and an ad selector for running selected advertisements from selected ones of the campaigns. The campaigns are associated with household demographic classifications, video content category categories, household geographic locations, and/or video viewing times. In response to a viewer requesting a video, the selector selects the campaigns corresponding to the demographic classification associated with the viewer, the content category of the requested video, the geographic location associated with the viewer, and/or the viewing time at which the requested video is viewed. The demographic classification is determined by using an identifier of the viewer's set-top-box. The selector may select the campaigns corresponding to the content categories of the requested video. The content categories are determined by using an identifier associated with the requested video.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventor: Neville A. Black
  • Patent number: 10547889
    Abstract: A method and system for planning and running video-on-demand (VOD) advertising includes a planner for planning advertising campaigns and an ad selector for running selected advertisements from selected ones of the campaigns. The campaigns are associated with household demographic classifications, video content category categories, household geographic locations, and/or video viewing times. In response to a viewer requesting a video, the selector selects the campaigns corresponding to the demographic classification associated with the viewer, the content category of the requested video, the geographic location associated with the viewer, and/or the viewing time at which the requested video is viewed. The demographic classification is determined by using an identifier of the viewer's set-top-box. The selector may select the campaigns corresponding to the content categories of the requested video. The content categories are determined by using an identifier associated with the requested video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Neville A. Black
  • Patent number: 10230799
    Abstract: Tokens and policy descriptors are used for dynamic on demand session management in a distributed and scalable architecture for on demand sessions and resource management. The architecture includes an on demand client, a purchase server, and a session manager. A purchase token is generated at the purchase server and assigned to the on demand client. The purchase token represents at least one requested asset. In response to an on demand session set-up request corresponding to the purchase token from the on demand client to the session manager, the purchase token is expanded to generate at least one dynamic policy management descriptor for the on demand session. This provides token-based purchase authorization and policy management for on demand services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Weidong Mao, Neville A. Black, Charles L. Compton
  • Publication number: 20180338173
    Abstract: A method and system for planning and running video-on-demand (VOD) advertising includes a planner for planning advertising campaigns and an ad selector for running selected advertisements from selected ones of the campaigns. The campaigns are associated with household demographic classifications, video content category categories, household geographic locations, and/or video viewing times. In response to a viewer requesting a video, the selector selects the campaigns corresponding to the demographic classification associated with the viewer, the content category of the requested video, the geographic location associated with the viewer, and/or the viewing time at which the requested video is viewed. The demographic classification is determined by using an identifier of the viewer's set-top-box. The selector may select the campaigns corresponding to the content categories of the requested video. The content categories are determined by using an identifier associated with the requested video.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventor: Neville A. Black
  • Patent number: 9906825
    Abstract: A method and system for planning and running video-on-demand (VOD) advertising includes a planner for planning advertising campaigns and an ad selector for running selected advertisements from selected ones of the campaigns. The campaigns are associated with household demographic classifications, video content category categories, household geographic locations, and/or video viewing times. In response to a viewer requesting a video, the selector selects the campaigns corresponding to the demographic classification associated with the viewer, the content category of the requested video, the geographic location associated with the viewer, and/or the viewing time at which the requested video is viewed. The demographic classification is determined by using an identifier of the viewer's set-top-box. The selector may select the campaigns corresponding to the content categories of the requested video. The content categories are determined by using an identifier associated with the requested video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Neville A. Black
  • Publication number: 20160073147
    Abstract: A method and system for planning and running video-on-demand (VOD) advertising includes a planner for planning advertising campaigns and an ad selector for running selected advertisements from selected ones of the campaigns. The campaigns are associated with household demographic classifications, video content category categories, household geographic locations, and/or video viewing times. In response to a viewer requesting a video, the selector selects the campaigns corresponding to the demographic classification associated with the viewer, the content category of the requested video, the geographic location associated with the viewer, and/or the viewing time at which the requested video is viewed. The demographic classification is determined by using an identifier of the viewer's set-top-box. The selector may select the campaigns corresponding to the content categories of the requested video. The content categories are determined by using an identifier associated with the requested video.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: Neville A. Black
  • Patent number: 9136956
    Abstract: A method and system for planning and running video-on-demand (VOD) advertising includes a planner for planning advertising campaigns and an ad selector for running selected advertisements from selected ones of the campaigns. The campaigns are associated with household demographic classifications, video content category categories, household geographic locations, and/or video viewing times. In response to a viewer requesting a video, the selector selects the campaigns corresponding to the demographic classification associated with the viewer, the content category of the requested video, the geographic location associated with the viewer, and/or the viewing time at which the requested video is viewed. The demographic classification is determined by using an identifier of the viewer's set-top-box. The selector may select the campaigns corresponding to the content categories of the requested video. The content categories are determined by using an identifier associated with the requested video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Neville A. Black
  • Publication number: 20130304854
    Abstract: Tokens and policy descriptors are used for dynamic on demand session management in a distributed and scalable architecture for on demand sessions and resource management. The architecture includes an on demand client, a purchase server, and a session manager. A purchase token is generated at the purchase server and assigned to the on demand client. The purchase token represents at least one requested asset. In response to an on demand session set-up request corresponding to the purchase token from the on demand client to the session manager, the purchase token is expanded to generate at least one dynamic policy management descriptor for the on demand session. This provides token-based purchase authorization and policy management for on demand services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Weidong Mao, Neville A. Black, Charles L. Compton
  • Patent number: 8504715
    Abstract: Tokens and policy descriptors are used for dynamic on demand session management in a distributed and scalable architecture for on demand sessions and resource management. The architecture includes an on demand client, a purchase server, and a session manager. A purchase token is generated at the purchase server and assigned to the on demand client. The purchase token represents at least one requested asset. In response to an on demand session set-up request corresponding to the purchase token from the on demand client to the session manager, the purchase token is expanded to generate at least one dynamic policy management descriptor for the on demand session. This provides token-based purchase authorization and policy management for on demand services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Weidong Mao, Neville A. Black, Charles L. Compton
  • Publication number: 20120324048
    Abstract: Tokens and policy descriptors are used for dynamic on demand session management in a distributed and scalable architecture for on demand sessions and resource management. The architecture includes an on demand client, a purchase server, and a session manager. A purchase token is generated at the purchase server and assigned to the on demand client. The purchase token represents at least one requested asset. In response to an on demand session set-up request corresponding to the purchase token from the on demand client to the session manager, the purchase token is expanded to generate at least one dynamic policy management descriptor for the on demand session. This provides token-based purchase authorization and policy management for on demand services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: COMCAST CABLE HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Weidong Mao, Neville A. Black, Charles L. Compton
  • Patent number: 8281024
    Abstract: Tokens and policy descriptors are used for dynamic on demand session management in a distributed and scalable architecture for on demand sessions and resource management. The architecture includes an on demand client, a purchase server, and a session manager. A purchase token is generated at the purchase server and assigned to the on demand client. The purchase token represents at least one requested asset. In response to an on demand session set-up request corresponding to the purchase token from the on demand client to the session manager, the purchase token is expanded to generate at least one dynamic policy management descriptor for the on demand session. This provides token-based purchase authorization and policy management for on demand services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Weidong Mao, Neville A. Black, Charles L. Compton
  • Patent number: 8214465
    Abstract: Methods and systems of transporting media signals to user devices as a function of users associated therewith and to allocating assets in such systems as a function of users receiving the media signals so as to permit signals, assets, and other features to be directed, allocated, and otherwise distributed as a function of the users associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Neville A. Black, Robert Gaydos
  • Publication number: 20120110199
    Abstract: Tokens and policy descriptors are used for dynamic on demand session management in a distributed and scalable architecture for on demand sessions and resource management. The architecture includes an on demand client, a purchase server, and a session manager. A purchase token is generated at the purchase server and assigned to the on demand client. The purchase token represents at least one requested asset. In response to an on demand session set-up request corresponding to the purchase token from the on demand client to the session manager, the purchase token is expanded to generate at least one dynamic policy management descriptor for the on demand session. This provides token-based purchase authorization and policy management for on demand services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: COMCAST CABLE HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Weidong Mao, Neville A. Black, Charles L. Compton
  • Patent number: 8099508
    Abstract: Tokens and policy descriptors are used for dynamic on demand session management in a distributed and scalable architecture for on demand sessions and resource management. The architecture includes an on demand client, a purchase server, and a session manager. A purchase token is generated at the purchase server and assigned to the on demand client. The purchase token represents at least one requested asset. In response to an on demand session set-up request corresponding to the purchase token from the on demand client to the session manager, the purchase token is expanded to generate at least one dynamic policy management descriptor for the on demand session. This provides token-based purchase authorization and policy management for on demand services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Weidong Mao, Neville A. Black, Charles L. Compton
  • Publication number: 20080313681
    Abstract: A complex, multiple location consumer communication and content delivery system includes a plurality of headend facilities and a central facility including a database. A distributed information technology (IT) architecture involves back office IT infrastructure located at the central facility, and headend IT infrastructure located at each headend facility. Headend IT infrastructure may be provided with a policy setting limits for transactions that normally require real-time access to the central database. The headend is programmed to handle real-time transactions, without real-time access to the central database, in accordance with the set policy limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Richard M. Woundy, Jean-Pol Zundel, Neville Black, Harry Hartley
  • Publication number: 20070143457
    Abstract: Tokens and policy descriptors are used for dynamic on demand session management in a distributed and scalable architecture for on demand sessions and resource management. The architecture includes an on demand client, a purchase server, and a session manager. A purchase token is generated at the purchase server and assigned to the on demand client. The purchase token represents at least one requested asset. In response to an on demand session set-up request corresponding to the purchase token from the on demand client to the session manager, the purchase token is expanded to generate at least one dynamic policy management descriptor for the on demand session. This provides token-based purchase authorization and policy management for on demand services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Weidong Mao, Neville Black, Charles Compton