Patents by Inventor Robert A. Knee

Robert A. Knee 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: 12120395
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically generating a playlist of series assets and systems and methods for grouping assets of a playlist in clusters are provided. In one embodiment, series assets may automatically be included into a playlist for that series. In another embodiment, an interactive media guidance application may group assets in clusters based on one or more user selected parameters or may group assets in cluster based on automatically determined parameters. In yet another embodiment, the interactive media guidance application may group assets in clusters and display at least one identifier in connection with each cluster to indicate a basis for forming the cluster. The identifier may be a key word or catch phrase that succinctly identifies a trait or characteristic of assets in a particular cluster associated with the identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Jon P. Radloff, Robert A. Knee, Michael L Craner, Joshua Berry
  • Patent number: 12096083
    Abstract: A list of video-on-demand (VOD) programs based on viewer selections is provided. VOD programs may be marked with a mark indicating the level of viewer interest. In one embodiment, a list of VOD programs may be displayed that includes or excludes programs having a particular mark, or sorts programs based on the marks. In another embodiment, a list of VOD programs may be displayed based on availability times. In yet another embodiment, after a viewer has played back a VOD program, a list of related VOD programs may be automatically displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Robert A. Knee
  • Patent number: 11888917
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and software are described for providing content to a device comprising streaming content and sending content in a non-streaming manner (e.g., by downloading a file containing the content). In some aspects, switching between streaming and downloading may be performed in a dynamic manner during presentation of the content, and may be seamless to the user's viewing experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Bradley, Robert Knee
  • Publication number: 20230353622
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and software are described for providing content to a device comprising streaming content and sending content in a non-streaming manner (e.g., by downloading a file containing the content). In some aspects, switching between streaming and downloading may be performed in a dynamic manner during presentation of the content, and may be seamless to the user's viewing experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Bruce Bradley, Robert Knee
  • Patent number: 11800181
    Abstract: On-demand systems and methods are provided to manage locally-stored on-demand content. A user's equipment controls the deletion of and/or access to on-demand content from a local storage device based on constraining criteria that may include rental conditions, dynamic factors, and keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Robert A. Knee, Michael L. Craner
  • Publication number: 20230269433
    Abstract: A list of video-on-demand (VOD) programs based on viewer selections is provided. VOD programs may be marked with a mark indicating the level of viewer interest. In one embodiment, a list of VOD programs may be displayed that includes or excludes programs having a particular mark, or sorts programs based on the marks. In another embodiment, a list of VOD programs may be displayed based on availability times. In yet another embodiment, after a viewer has played back a VOD program, a list of related VOD programs may be automatically displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Robert A. Knee
  • Patent number: 11589122
    Abstract: A list of video-on-demand (VOD) programs based on viewer selections is provided. VOD programs may be marked with a mark indicating the level of viewer interest. In one embodiment, a list of VOD programs may be displayed that includes or excludes programs having a particular mark, or sorts programs based on the marks. In another embodiment, a list of VOD programs may be displayed based on availability times. In yet another embodiment, after a viewer has played back a VOD program, a list of related VOD programs may be automatically displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Robert A. Knee
  • Patent number: 11539777
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and software are described for providing content to a device comprising streaming content and sending content in a non-streaming manner (e.g., by downloading a file containing the content). In some aspects, switching between streaming and downloading may be performed in a dynamic manner during presentation of the content, and may be seamless to the user's viewing experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Bradley, Robert Knee
  • Publication number: 20220030311
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically generating a playlist of series assets and systems and methods for grouping assets of a playlist in clusters are provided. In one embodiment, series assets may automatically be included into a playlist for that series. In another embodiment, an interactive media guidance application may group assets in clusters based on one or more user selected parameters or may group assets in cluster based on automatically determined parameters. In yet another embodiment, the interactive media guidance application may group assets in clusters and display at least one identifier in connection with each cluster to indicate a basis for forming the cluster. The identifier may be a key word or catch phrase that succinctly identifies a trait or characteristic of assets in a particular cluster associated with the identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Jon P. Radloff, Robert A. Knee, Michael L. Craner, Joshua Berry
  • Publication number: 20210409472
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and software are described for providing content to a device comprising streaming content and sending content in a non-streaming manner (e.g., by downloading a file containing the content). In some aspects, switching between streaming and downloading may be performed in a dynamic manner during presentation of the content, and may be seamless to the user's viewing experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Bruce Bradley, Robert Knee
  • Publication number: 20210385542
    Abstract: A list of video-on-demand (VOD) programs based on viewer selections is provided. VOD programs may be marked with a mark indicating the level of viewer interest. In one embodiment, a list of VOD programs may be displayed that includes or excludes programs having a particular mark, or sorts programs based on the marks. In another embodiment, a list of VOD programs may be displayed based on availability times. in yet another embodiment, after a viewer has played back a VOD program, a list of related VOD programs may be automatically displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Robert A. Knee
  • Publication number: 20210368229
    Abstract: On-demand systems and methods are provided to manage locally-stored on-demand content. A user's equipment controls the deletion of and/or access to on-demand content from a local storage device based on constraining criteria that may include rental conditions, dynamic factors, and keys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Robert A. Knee, Michael L. Craner
  • Patent number: 11115707
    Abstract: On-demand systems and methods are provided to manage locally-stored on-demand content. A user's equipment controls the deletion of and/or access to on-demand content from a local storage device based on constraining criteria that may include rental conditions, dynamic factors, and keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: ROVI GUIDES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Robert A. Knee, Michael L. Craner
  • Patent number: 11115719
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically generating a playlist of series assets and systems and methods for grouping assets of a playlist in clusters are provided. In one embodiment, series assets may automatically be included into a playlist for that series. In another embodiment, an interactive media guidance application may group assets in clusters based on one or more user selected parameters or may group assets in cluster based on automatically determined parameters. In yet another embodiment, the interactive media guidance application may group assets in clusters and display at least one identifier in connection with each cluster to indicate a basis for forming the cluster. The identifier may be a key word or catch phrase that succinctly identifies a trait or characteristic of assets in a particular cluster associated with the identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: ROVl GUIDES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Jon P. Radloff, Robert A. Knee, Michael L. Craner, Joshua Berry
  • Patent number: 11070883
    Abstract: A list of video-on demand (VOD) programs based on viewer selections is provided. VOD programs may be marked with a mark indicating the level of viewer interest. In one embodiment, a list of VOD programs may be displayed that includes or excludes programs having a particular mark, or sorts programs based on the marks. In another embodiment, a list of VOD programs may be displayed based on availability times. In yet another embodiment, after a viewer has played back a VOD program a list of related VOD programs may be automatically displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Robert A. Knee
  • Patent number: 11044293
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and software are described for providing content to a device comprising streaming content and sending content in a non-streaming manner (e.g., by downloading a file containing the content). In some aspects, switching between streaming and downloading may be performed in a dynamic manner during presentation of the content, and may be seamless to the user's viewing experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Bradley, Robert Knee
  • Patent number: 10904630
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing guidance to users for finding media are described. Such systems and methods may be provided in interactive media guides such as program guides, web browsers, or other suitable interactive media guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Thomas, W. Benjamin Herrington, David M. Berezowski, Robert A. Knee, Michael D. Ellis, Todd A. Walker, M. Scott Reichardt, L. Joe Hedges, Esq.
  • Publication number: 20200287952
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and software are described for providing content to a device comprising streaming content and sending content in a non-streaming manner (e.g., by downloading a file containing the content). In some aspects, switching between streaming and downloading may be performed in a dynamic manner during presentation of the content, and may be seamless to the user's viewing experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Bruce Bradley, Robert Knee
  • Publication number: 20200236321
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically generating a playlist of series assets and systems and methods for grouping assets of a playlist in clusters are provided. In one embodiment, series assets may automatically be included into a playlist for that series. In another embodiment, an interactive media guidance application may group assets in clusters based on one or more user selected parameters or may group assets in cluster based on automatically determined parameters. In yet another embodiment, the interactive media guidance application may group assets in clusters and display at least one identifier in connection with each cluster to indicate a basis for forming the cluster. The identifier may be a key word or catch phrase that succinctly identifies a trait or characteristic of assets in a particular cluster associated with the identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Jon P. Radloff, Robert A. Knee, Michael L. Craner, Joshua Berry
  • Patent number: 10587835
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically generating a playlist of series assets and systems and methods for grouping assets of a playlist in clusters are provided. In one embodiment, series assets may automatically be included into a playlist for that series. In another embodiment, an interactive media guidance application may group assets in clusters based on one or more user selected parameters or may group assets in cluster based on automatically determined parameters. In yet another embodiment, the interactive media guidance application may group assets in clusters and display at least one identifier in connection with each cluster to indicate a basis for forming the cluster. The identifier may be a key word or catch phrase that succinctly identifies a trait or characteristic of assets in a particular cluster associated with the identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Jon P. Radloff, Robert A. Knee, Michael L. Craner, Joshua Berry