Patents by Inventor Richard C. Fickle

Richard C. Fickle 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: 9027063
    Abstract: The present invention provides for closed loop multimedia content management systems and methods to ensure accurate and timely delivery of VOD content from multiple content providers using multiple distribution systems. The present invention provides for a method of distributing multimedia content using a VOD management system by receiving a multimedia asset data file and associated metadata from a content provider and/or a MSO, tracking the delivery of the multimedia asset data file to a MSO, tracking the upload of the multimedia asset data file to a VOD server maintained by the MSO, and providing usage reports relating to usage of multimedia asset data files by end users of the MSO. Usage reports are prepared by receiving data from the VOD servers regarding the files requested by end users, creating a master reporting database using that data, and generating the usage reports using the data contained in the master reporting database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Deluxe Digital Distribution Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Fickle, José A. Róyo, Timothy Bruce Aron
  • Patent number: 7921448
    Abstract: The present invention provides for methods, systems, and devices for simultaneously receiving and processing multimedia asset packages transmitted by a plurality of multimedia content providers. The methods and systems of the present invention implement a multiport catcher appliance configured to receive a plurality of transmissions, simultaneously, from multiple content providers in a multimedia asset distribution system. The multimedia catcher receiver includes a multimedia network interface unit configured to simultaneously receive multimedia data segments from content providers, a multimedia network interface unit that provides the multimedia data segments to a receive unit, a receive unit configured to reconstruct and validate a multimedia asset package using multimedia data segments transmitted by a content provider, and a content management system to manage multimedia asset packages and provide multimedia asset packages to a multimedia server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Ascent Media Group, LLP
    Inventors: Richard C. Fickle, José A. Róyo, Timothy Bruce Aron
  • Patent number: 7908244
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to localize content management of media content assets. A local content is received at a regional media center. The local content corresponds to an event localized within a locality. The local content is prepared into an asset using a media content management system. An asset package containing the asset is propagated to a head-end for distribution to a subscriber in the locality. In another embodiment of the invention, an asset package containing an asset and asset attributes is received from a propagation unit. The asset is created from a local content corresponding to an event localized within a locality. The asset is distributed to a subscriber in the locality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ascent Media Group, LLC
    Inventors: José A. Royo, Igor Vezmar, Timothy B. Aron, Richard C. Fickle
  • Publication number: 20040255335
    Abstract: The present invention provides for methods, systems, and devices for simultaneously receiving and processing multimedia asset packages transmitted by a plurality of multimedia content providers. The methods and systems of the present invention implement a multiport catcher appliance configured to receive a plurality of transmissions, simultaneously, from multiple content providers in a multimedia asset distribution system. The multimedia catcher receiver includes a multimedia network interface unit configured to simultaneously receive multimedia data segments from content providers, a multimedia network interface unit that provides the multimedia data segments to a receive unit, a receive unit configured to reconstruct and validate a multimedia asset package using multimedia data segments transmitted by a content provider, and a content management system to manage multimedia asset packages and provide multimedia asset packages to a multimedia server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Ascent Media Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Fickle, Jose A. Royo, Timothy Bruce Aron
  • Publication number: 20040103120
    Abstract: The present invention provides for closed loop multimedia content management systems and methods to ensure accurate and timely delivery of VOD content from multiple content providers using multiple distribution systems. The present invention provides for a method of distributing multimedia content using a VOD management system by receiving a multimedia asset data file and associated metadata from a content provider and/or a MSO, tracking the delivery of the multimedia asset data file to a MSO, tracking the upload of the multimedia asset data file to a VOD server maintained by the MSO, and providing usage reports relating to usage of multimedia asset data files by end users of the MSO. Usage reports are prepared by receiving data from the VOD servers regarding the files requested by end users, creating a master reporting database using that data, and generating the usage reports using the data contained in the master reporting database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: Ascent Media Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Fickle, Jose A. Royo, Timothy Bruce Aron