Patents by Inventor Robert A. Drew
Robert A. Drew 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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Publication number: 20240243437Abstract: A battery cell of a solid-state battery, such as a solid-state traction battery of an electrified vehicle, includes first and second electrodes and a solid electrolyte. The solid electrolyte is assembled (e.g., laminated) to the first electrode and is sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode in a stack. The first and second electrodes have a same size surface, and the solid electrolyte has a surface no larger than the surface of the first electrode. An edge of the first electrode is coated with electrical insulating material. An edge of the second electrode and/or an edge of the solid electrolyte may also be coated with electrical insulating material. The first electrode may be an anode and the second electrode may be a cathode. Alternatively, the first electrode may be a cathode and the second electrode may be an anode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2023Publication date: July 18, 2024Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Hyukkeun Oh, Xin Liu, Andrew Robert Drews
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Publication number: 20240243365Abstract: A battery cell of a solid-state battery, such as a solid-state traction battery of an electrified vehicle, includes first and second electrodes and a solid electrolyte sandwiched between the electrodes in a stack. The first electrode overhangs the second electrode in the stack. The solid electrolyte may have a surface area that is the same as the surface area of the first electrode with the solid electrolyte together with the first electrode overhang the second electrode in the stack. The battery cell may further include a current collector having a main portion and a tab region extending therefrom. The current collector is arranged in the stack with the second electrode sandwiched between the main portion of the current collector and the solid electrolyte and with the first electrode overhanging the tab region of the current collector. An electrical insulation layer is applied to the tab region of the current collector.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2023Publication date: July 18, 2024Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xin Liu, Andrew Robert Drews, Christian Edward Shaffer, Hyukkeun Oh
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Publication number: 20240236441Abstract: Systems, devices and processes are provided to facilitate video streaming. The various embodiments facilitate the detection of program promotions in a video stream, where program promotions include commercial content that advertises future programs. In general, the embodiments facilitate the detection of program promotions in a video stream through the use of automated process monitors the video stream and determines that a content block is a program promotion when that content block meets a defined set of criteria. This set of criteria can include criteria such as time adjacency, timespan, audio, video and textual factors, and when the content was previously first detected. In such embodiments the ability to detect program promotions using the set of criteria facilitates the replacement of these program promotions with other, potentially more valuable, content.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2024Publication date: July 11, 2024Applicant: Sling TV L.L.C.Inventor: Robert Drew Major
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Publication number: 20240223829Abstract: Content is received from a content origin and includes a first I frame occurring in the content at an actual start time of an ad segment. The content includes an ad marker comprising an indicated start time of an available segment, and the actual start time is within a predetermined period of the indicated start time. The ad marker is updated to set the indicated start time equal to the actual start time. The predetermined period may be within 0.5 seconds of the indicated start time. A second I frame may be detected in the content, and a signature may be generated for content at the time of the first I frame. The first I frame corresponds to the actual start time in response to the first I frame occurring before the second I frame and in response to the signature matching a signature of a known ad.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2024Publication date: July 4, 2024Applicant: SLING TV L.L.C.Inventor: ROBERT DREW MAJOR
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Publication number: 20240187696Abstract: “Binge watching” of multiple episodes of a program is improved by the player device automatically skipping repeated portions of the program. Opening and closing credit scenes, for example, can be automatically skipped to thereby allow the viewer to progress through the entire season of programming at an even faster rate than was previously thought possible. Programming to be skipped may be identified by detecting audio or other digital fingerprints in the content itself, for example. Content to be skipped may be identified to the playback device according to presentation time stamp (PTS) or other time markers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2024Publication date: June 6, 2024Applicant: DISH Network L.L.C.Inventors: Robert Drew Major, Steven Casagrande
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Publication number: 20240187665Abstract: A digital content storage and delivery system (DCSDS) includes a network interface to communicate data between the DCSDS and a destination device via a network data communication link having limited bandwidth. An input interface receives digital content for handling by the DCSDS. A storage architecture stores recorded video content on behalf of subscriber end users for on-demand playback via the network data communication link, and it caches live streaming video content for distribution via the network data communication link. The DCDS may monitor bandwidth usage of the network data communication link, determine current bandwidth demand for playback of recorded video content stored at the storage architecture, and reserve at least some of the limited bandwidth of the network data communication link to satisfy the determined current bandwidth demand. The available bandwidth is allocated to support distribution of live streaming video from the DCSDS.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2024Publication date: June 6, 2024Applicant: SLING MEDIA L.L.C.Inventor: ROBERT DREW MAJOR
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Publication number: 20240171798Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable media for adapting content composites to device operations of an endpoint media device are disclosed. Blockchain data associated with a blockchain address may be processed by one or more processing devices. The blockchain data and/or the blockchain address may be mapped by the one or more processing devices to a first endpoint media device. Based at least in part on the blockchain data, a first content composite may be identified by one or more processing devices for delivery from a content provider system via one or more networks to the first endpoint media device. Transmission of the first content composite may be caused where, consequent to delivery of the first content composite to the first endpoint media device, the first endpoint media device or a second endpoint media device performs at least one operation relating to the first content composite.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2024Publication date: May 23, 2024Inventors: Jorg Nonnenmacher, Robert Drew Major
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Publication number: 20240155167Abstract: A remote storage digital video recorder (RSDVR) retains multiple copies of media programs so long as the copies are expected to be useful to at least one user. Rather than assigning copies to specific users at the time the program is recorded, copies can be assigned as the users request access to the particular media programs. Copies of unassigned programs can be deleted according to a schedule to reduce disk storage and processing demands on the system. A pool of program copies that are not initially assigned to particular users can be maintained until the user makes a specific request to view the program. This “late assignment” of program copies can substantially reduce the amount of data stored by the RSDVR system without substantially impacting the viewer experience.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2024Publication date: May 9, 2024Applicant: Sling TV L.L.C.Inventors: Robert Drew Major, Leo Davis, Howard Davis
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Patent number: 11979624Abstract: Content is received from a content origin and includes a first I frame occurring in the content at an actual start time of an ad segment. The content includes an ad marker comprising an indicated start time of an available segment, and the actual start time is within a predetermined period of the indicated start time. The ad marker is updated to set the indicated start time equal to the actual start time. The predetermined period may be within 0.5 seconds of the indicated start time. A second I frame may be detected in the content, and a signature may be generated for content at the time of the first I frame. The first I frame corresponds to the actual start time in response to the first I frame occurring before the second I frame and in response to the signature matching a signature of a known ad.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Sling TV L.L.C.Inventor: Robert Drew Major
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Patent number: 11974024Abstract: Systems, devices and processes are provided to facilitate video streaming. The various embodiments facilitate the detection of program promotions in a video stream, where program promotions include commercial content that advertises future programs. In general, the embodiments facilitate the detection of program promotions in a video stream through the use of automated process monitors the video stream and determines that a content block is a program promotion when that content block meets a defined set of criteria. This set of criteria can include criteria such as time adjacency, timespan, audio, video and textual factors, and when the content was previously first detected. In such embodiments the ability to detect program promotions using the set of criteria facilitates the replacement of these program promotions with other, potentially more valuable, content.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Sling TV L.L.C.Inventor: Robert Drew Major
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Patent number: 11936929Abstract: A digital content storage and delivery system (DCSDS) includes a network interface to communicate data between the DCSDS and a destination device via a network data communication link having limited bandwidth. An input interface receives digital content for handling by the DCSDS. A storage architecture stores recorded video content on behalf of subscriber end users for on-demand playback via the network data communication link, and it caches live streaming video content for distribution via the network data communication link. The DCDS may monitor bandwidth usage of the network data communication link, determine current bandwidth demand for playback of recorded video content stored at the storage architecture, and reserve at least some of the limited bandwidth of the network data communication link to satisfy the determined current bandwidth demand. The available bandwidth is allocated to support distribution of live streaming video from the DCSDS.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2023Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Sling Media L.L.C.Inventor: Robert Drew Major
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Patent number: 11924490Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable media for adapting content composites to device operations of an endpoint media device are disclosed. Blockchain data associated with a blockchain address may be processed by one or more processing devices. The blockchain data and/or the blockchain address may be mapped by the one or more processing devices to a first endpoint media device. Based at least in part on the blockchain data, a first content composite may be identified by one or more processing devices for delivery from a content provider system via one or more networks to the first endpoint media device. Transmission of the first content composite may be caused where, consequent to delivery of the first content composite to the first endpoint media device, the first endpoint media device or a second endpoint media device performs at least one operation relating to the first content composite.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: DISH Network L.L.C.Inventors: Jorg Nonnenmacher, Robert Drew Major
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Publication number: 20240072232Abstract: Various methods of making low-tortuosity electrodes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the low-tortuosity electrodes have a tortuosity of less than 2.0 or 1.4 and include battery-active material and solid electrolyte with the solid electrolyte having channels therein that are vertically aligned. A solid-state lithium-ion battery electrode is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2022Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: Zijie Lu, Xiaojiang Wang, Andrew Robert Drews, Brian Joseph Robert, Lingyun Liu
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Patent number: 11917246Abstract: “Binge watching” of multiple episodes of a program is improved by the player device automatically skipping repeated portions of the program. Opening and closing credit scenes, for example, can be automatically skipped to thereby allow the viewer to progress through the entire season of programming at an even faster rate than was previously thought possible. Programming to be skipped may be identified by detecting audio or other digital fingerprints in the content itself, for example. Content to be skipped may be identified to the playback device according to presentation time stamp (PTS) or other time markers.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2023Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: DISH Network L.L.C.Inventors: Robert Drew Major, Steven Casagrande
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Patent number: 11902604Abstract: A remote storage digital video recorder (RSDVR) retains multiple copies of media programs so long as the copies are expected to be useful to at least one user. Rather than assigning copies to specific users at the time the program is recorded, copies can be assigned as the users request access to the particular media programs. Copies of unassigned programs can be deleted according to a schedule to reduce disk storage and processing demands on the system. A pool of program copies that are not initially assigned to particular users can be maintained until the user makes a specific request to view the program. This “late assignment” of program copies can substantially reduce the amount of data stored by the RSDVR system without substantially impacting the viewer experience.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2023Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Sling TV L.L.C.Inventors: Robert Drew Major, Leo Davis, Howard Davis
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Publication number: 20240048804Abstract: “Binge watching” of multiple episodes of a program is improved by the player device automatically skipping repeated portions of the program. Opening and closing credit scenes, for example, can be automatically skipped to thereby allow the viewer to progress through the entire season of programming at an even faster rate than was previously thought possible. Programming to be skipped may be identified by detecting audio or other digital fingerprints in the content itself, for example. Content to be skipped may be identified to the playback device according to anchor points or other references in the programming itself.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: DISH Network L.L.C.Inventors: Robert Drew Major, Steven Casagrande
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Publication number: 20230409635Abstract: The present invention recognizes media content using signatures generated by network devices with limited processing power. A signature comprises a first set of frequency-amplitude pairs associated with a first piece of content. The signature is compared with stored signatures corresponding to known content. Each of the stored signatures comprises a stored set of frequency-amplitude pairs. The first piece of content is identified as being or including known content in response to the first signature matching a stored signature.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2022Publication date: December 21, 2023Applicant: Sling TV L.L.C.Inventors: Eric Dyoniziak, Robert Drew Major
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Publication number: 20230388562Abstract: The present invention recognizes media content using signatures generated by network devices with limited processing power. An audio signal is prepared for application of a discrete Fourier transform (DFT). Outputs from the DFT include real components and imaginary components that are used to calculate output magnitudes associated with frequency bins. The frequency-amplitude pairs include the output magnitudes and the associated frequency bins. A signature of the audio signal is generated by selecting a predetermined number of frequency-amplitude pairs having dominant output magnitudes. The network devices that generate the signatures may transmit the signatures to a server for analysis. The server may trigger actions in response to detecting known content based on the received signatures matching known signatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2022Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: Sling TV L.L.C.Inventors: Eric Dyoniziak, Robert Drew Major
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Patent number: 11825160Abstract: “Binge watching” of multiple episodes of a program is improved by the player device automatically skipping repeated portions of the program. Opening and closing credit scenes, for example, can be automatically skipped to thereby allow the viewer to progress through the entire season of programming at an even faster rate than was previously thought possible. Programming to be skipped may be identified by detecting audio or other digital fingerprints in the content itself, for example. Content to be skipped may be identified to the playback device according to anchor points or other references in the programming itself.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2019Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: DISH Network L.L.C.Inventors: Robert Drew Major, Steven Casagrande
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Publication number: 20230370656Abstract: Various arrangements for performing dynamic content insertion are presented. Content items that have been output for presentation may be tracked across multiple viewing sessions. One or more insertion rules may be evaluated that are mapped to a content item. The content item may be determined to have met an output rate threshold. An alternative piece of content may be selected for insertion based on the content item having met the output threshold rate. A streaming content viewer device may be triggered to substitute the alternative content item to replace the content item.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventor: Robert Drew Major