Patents by Inventor Robert Todd Smith
Robert Todd Smith 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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Patent number: 11457253Abstract: Apparatus and methods for presentation of key frames. In one embodiment, an encoded video file is generated where one or more bits are assigned to key frames and minimizes the number of bits assigned to delta frames. Each key frame may be presented to a user during trick mode operation (e.g., fast forward, rewind, pause, or random seek operation). When the encoded video file is given to a packager, the packager generates a manifest file listing the byte information (byte offset and number of bytes) for each key frame in the encoded video file. When a user inputs a trick play mode command, the packager provides the manifest file to the client device of the user and the client device requests the bytes for the key frames of the video file from the content delivery network.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2020Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLCInventors: John Chen, David Belt, Edward Galt, III, Robert Todd Smith
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Patent number: 11303950Abstract: A plurality of icons are displayed on a companion device having a touch screen interface; the icons can be manipulated by the touch screen interface, and each of the plurality of icons represents a different one of a plurality of audiovisual assets which can be viewed on an external audiovisual device. An input gesture on the touch screen interface is obtained from a user of the companion device, wherein a given one of the icons is flicked in a manner associated with the external audiovisual device. Responsive to the obtaining of the gesture, a signal is dispatched from the companion device. The signal causes the external audiovisual device to access a given one of the plurality of audiovisual assets associated with the given one of the icons. Techniques for other than touch screen devices, and techniques to obtain programs on the companion device, are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLCInventors: Robert Todd Smith, James C. Stark
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Publication number: 20200314461Abstract: Apparatus and methods for presentation of key frames. In one embodiment, an encoded video file is generated where one or more bits are assigned to key frames and minimizes the number of bits assigned to delta frames. Each key frame may be presented to a user during trick mode operation (e.g., fast forward, rewind, pause, or random seek operation). When the encoded video file is given to a packager, the packager generates a manifest file listing the byte information (byte offset and number of bytes) for each key frame in the encoded video file. When a user inputs a trick play mode command, the packager provides the manifest file to the client device of the user and the client device requests the bytes for the key frames of the video file from the content delivery network.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventors: John Chen, David Belt, Edward Galt, III, Robert Todd Smith
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Patent number: 10652594Abstract: Apparatus and methods for presentation of key frames. In one embodiment, an encoded video file is generated where one or more bits are assigned to key frames and minimizes the number of bits assigned to delta frames. Each key frame may be presented to a user during trick mode operation (e.g., fast forward, rewind, pause, or random seek operation). When the encoded video file is given to a packager, the packager generates a manifest file listing the byte information (byte offset and number of bytes) for each key frame in the encoded video file. When a user inputs a trick play mode command, the packager provides the manifest file to the client device of the user and the client device requests the bytes for the key frames of the video file from the content delivery network.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2016Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLCInventors: John Chen, David Belt, Edward Galt, III, Robert Todd Smith
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Publication number: 20190373035Abstract: A plurality of icons are displayed on a companion device having a touch screen interface; the icons can be manipulated by the touch screen interface, and each of the plurality of icons represents a different one of a plurality of audiovisual assets which can be viewed on an external audiovisual device. An input gesture on the touch screen interface is obtained from a user of the companion device, wherein a given one of the icons is flicked in a manner associated with the external audiovisual device. Responsive to the obtaining of the gesture, a signal is dispatched from the companion device. The signal causes the external audiovisual device to access a given one of the plurality of audiovisual assets associated with the given one of the icons. Techniques for other than touch screen devices, and techniques to obtain programs on the companion device, are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Robert Todd Smith, James C. Stark
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Patent number: 10389778Abstract: A plurality of icons are displayed on a companion device having a touch screen interface; the icons can be manipulated by the touch screen interface, and each of the plurality of icons represents a different one of a plurality of audiovisual assets which can be viewed on an external audiovisual device. An input gesture on the touch screen interface is obtained from a user of the companion device, wherein a given one of the icons is flicked in a manner associated with the external audiovisual device. Responsive to the obtaining of the gesture, a signal is dispatched from the companion device. The signal causes the external audiovisual device to access a given one of the plurality of audiovisual assets associated with the given one of the icons. Techniques for other than touch screen devices, and techniques to obtain programs on the companion device, are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2012Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLCInventors: Robert Todd Smith, James C. Stark
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Patent number: 10116986Abstract: A digital video recorder control database is maintained for a digital video recorder in communication with a plurality of set-top boxes. The database includes program content, associated programming metadata, and a recording schedule. A subset of the digital video recorder control database is pushed from the digital video recorder control database to the plurality of set-top boxes for local caching on the plurality of set-top boxes. The subset includes at least a portion of the recording schedule.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2017Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLCInventors: Robert Todd Smith, Douglas Frusciano, Carissa Mahonchak
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Publication number: 20180014041Abstract: Apparatus and methods for presentation of key frames. In one embodiment, an encoded video file is generated where one or more bits are assigned to key frames and minimizes the number of bits assigned to delta frames. Each key frame may be presented to a user during trick mode operation (e.g., fast forward, rewind, pause, or random seek operation). When the encoded video file is given to a packager, the packager generates a manifest file listing the byte information (byte offset and number of bytes) for each key frame in the encoded video file. When a user inputs a trick play mode command, the packager provides the manifest file to the client device of the user and the client device requests the bytes for the key frames of the video file from the content delivery network.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2016Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: John Chen, David Belt, Edward Galt, III, Robert Todd Smith
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Publication number: 20170295395Abstract: A digital video recorder control database is maintained for a digital video recorder in communication with a plurality of set-top boxes. The database includes program content, associated programming metadata, and a recording schedule. A subset of the digital video recorder control database is pushed from the digital video recorder control database to the plurality of set-top boxes for local caching on the plurality of set-top boxes. The subset includes at least a portion of the recording schedule.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2017Publication date: October 12, 2017Inventors: Robert Todd Smith, Douglas Frusciano, Carissa Mahonchak
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Patent number: 9693105Abstract: A digital video recorder control database is maintained for a digital video recorder in communication with a plurality of set-top boxes. The database includes program content, associated programming metadata, and a recording schedule. A subset of the digital video recorder control database is pushed from the digital video recorder control database to the plurality of set-top boxes for local caching on the plurality of set-top boxes. The subset includes at least a portion of the recording schedule.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLCInventors: Robert Todd Smith, Douglas Frusciano, Carissa Mahonchak
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Publication number: 20150312616Abstract: A digital video recorder control database is maintained for a digital video recorder in communication with a plurality of set-top boxes. The database includes program content, associated programming metadata, and a recording schedule. A subset of the digital video recorder control database is pushed from the digital video recorder control database to the plurality of set-top boxes for local caching on the plurality of set-top boxes. The subset includes at least a portion of the recording schedule.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2014Publication date: October 29, 2015Inventors: Robert Todd Smith, Douglas Frusciano, Carissa Mahonchak
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Patent number: 9024894Abstract: As discussed herein according to one configuration, a remote controller device includes a touch-sensing surface, touch processing logic, and a communication interface. The touch-sensing surface includes an array of sensors to detect a gesture inputted by a subscriber indicating how to control settings of a content management device. The touch processing logic processes the detected gesture and converts the detected gesture into control information. The communication interface of the remote controller device transmits the control information over a communication link to control settings of the content management device. Gesture-based remote control as discussed herein provides more advanced control compared to conventional button-type remote control techniques.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2012Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCInventor: Robert Todd Smith
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Publication number: 20130191757Abstract: A plurality of icons are displayed on a companion device having a touch screen interface; the icons can be manipulated by the touch screen interface, and each of the plurality of icons represents a different one of a plurality of audiovisual assets which can be viewed on an external audiovisual device. An input gesture on the touch screen interface is obtained from a user of the companion device, wherein a given one of the icons is flicked in a manner associated with the external audiovisual device. Responsive to the obtaining of the gesture, a signal is dispatched from the companion device. The signal causes the external audiovisual device to access a given one of the plurality of audiovisual assets associated with the given one of the icons. Techniques for other than touch screen devices, and techniques to obtain programs on the companion device, are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2012Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: Time Warner Cable Inc.Inventors: Robert Todd Smith, James C. Stark