Patents by Inventor Stephen L. Maynard
Stephen L. Maynard 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: 11317167Abstract: According to one configuration, a content management resource receives feedback indicating playback commands applied to different portions of a given content stream (such as video content) played back by multiple viewers. The feedback can include video playback commands (such as fast forward commands, rewind commands, play commands, etc.) applied by the multiple users to the different portions of the given content stream. The content management resource aggregates the feedback to produce playback control information indicating playback commands applied by users of the multiple playback devices to the different portions of the given content stream. The content management resource uses the playback control information (aggregated feedback) to produce via timing information, locations of desirable segments and/or undesirable segments in the given stream as indicated by the previously applied commands. The content management resource inserts the aggregated feedback into the content metadata.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2016Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCInventors: Stephen L. Maynard, Nicholas Nielsen, Ernie Biancarelli, Thomas Gonder
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Publication number: 20190141147Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for systems and methods to track and calculate user interactivity time with one or more specified websites or application programs. A list of websites and/or application programs for tracking may be created and maintained, and when a user accesses and interacts with one of the websites or application programs, the user interactivity time with that particular application program or website is tracked. Periods of user inactivity with the particular application program or website are not counted towards the user interactivity time. The resulting user interactivity time data with each specified website and specified application program can be utilized in various manners, such as for generating reports, displays, or may be analyzed in numerous ways depending upon the particular implementation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2018Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: Nicholas Edward Garvin, Stephen L. Maynard
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Patent number: 10122804Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for systems and methods to track and calculate user interactivity time with one or more specified websites or application programs. A list of websites and/or application programs for tracking may be created and maintained, and when a user accesses and interacts with one of the websites or application programs, the user interactivity time with that particular application program or website is tracked. Periods of user inactivity with the particular application program or website are not counted towards the user interactivity time. The resulting user interactivity time data with each specified website and specified application program can be utilized in various manners, such as for generating reports, displays, or may be analyzed in numerous ways depending upon the particular implementation.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2014Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: STACKUP LLCInventors: Nicholas Edward Garvin, Stephen L. Maynard
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Patent number: 10009661Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing dynamic compensation for delays over extant infrastructure within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable network, and the infrastructure comprises that nominally used for on-demand (OD) services such as VOD. The method includes periodically or situationally assessing variable delays within the system associated with functional commands (such as “trick mode” commands), and dynamically compensating for these variable delays in order to improve the accuracy and timeliness of the user's trick mode command. This approach increases user satisfaction, and obviates the issuance of additional compensatory trick mode commands that only further degrade the performance of the network.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLCInventors: Stephen L. Maynard, Tho Autruong, John Callahan, Nicholas Nielsen
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Publication number: 20170332120Abstract: According to one configuration, a content management resource receives feedback indicating playback commands applied to different portions of a given content stream (such as video content) played back by multiple viewers. The feedback can include video playback commands (such as fast forward commands, rewind commands, play commands, etc.) applied by the multiple users to the different portions of the given content stream. The content management resource aggregates the feedback to produce playback control information indicating playback commands applied by users of the multiple playback devices to the different portions of the given content stream. The content management resource uses the playback control information (aggregated feedback) to produce via timing information, locations of desirable segments and/or undesirable segments in the given stream as indicated by the previously applied commands. The content management resource inserts the aggregated feedback into the content metadata.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2016Publication date: November 16, 2017Inventors: Stephen L. Maynard, Nicholas Nielsen, Ernie Biancarelli, Thomas Gonder
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Patent number: 8930934Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to updating a resident application (RA) and replacing an updated resident application with a previous version of a resident application are described. The methods and apparatus may be used for updating and replacing resident applications in set-top terminals (STTs) of a cable system including a cable network headend.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2009Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCInventors: Stephen L. Maynard, Jed A. Reed, John W. Callahan, Benjamin L. Payne
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Publication number: 20140237524Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing dynamic compensation for delays over extant infrastructure within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable network, and the infrastructure comprises that nominally used for on-demand (OD) services such as VOD. The method includes periodically or situationally assessing variable delays within the system associated with functional commands (such as “trick mode” commands), and dynamically compensating for these variable delays in order to improve the accuracy and timeliness of the user's trick mode command. This approach increases user satisfaction, and obviates the issuance of additional compensatory trick mode commands that only further degrade the performance of the network.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Inventors: Stephen L. Maynard, Tho Autruong, John Callahan, Nicholas Nielsen
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Patent number: 8661481Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing dynamic compensation for delays over extant infrastructure within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable network, and the infrastructure comprises that nominally used for on-demand (OD) services such as VOD. The method includes periodically or situationally assessing variable delays within the system associated with functional commands (such as “trick mode” commands), and dynamically compensating for these variable delays in order to improve the accuracy and timeliness of the user's trick mode command. This approach increases user satisfaction, and obviates the issuance of additional compensatory trick mode commands that only further degrade the performance of the network.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCInventors: Stephen L. Maynard, Tho Autruong, John Callahan, Nicholas Nielsen
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Publication number: 20130330087Abstract: A micronode includes an electrical port connectable to a downstream device, an optical port connectable to a head end having an upstream controller and an electro-optical converter connected to the electrical port and to the optical port and configured to convert electrical signals received from the downstream device at the electrical port to optical signals and to convert optical signals received from the head end via the optical port to electrical signals. The micronode also includes an addressable controller configured to receive a micronode polling request from the upstream controller and to determine when the downstream device is sending signals to the head end and begin a response to the micronode polling request in response to a determination that the downstream device is transmitting information to the head end. Also, an associated method of controlling the micronode.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Inventors: Mark O. Vogel, Ronald Howard Diego, Stephen L. Maynard, Tho Autruong
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Publication number: 20110231883Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing dynamic compensation for delays over extant infrastructure within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable network, and the infrastructure comprises that nominally used for on-demand (OD) services such as VOD. The method includes periodically or situationally assessing variable delays within the system associated with functional commands (such as “trick mode” commands), and dynamically compensating for these variable delays in order to improve the accuracy and timeliness of the user's trick mode command. This approach increases user satisfaction, and obviates the issuance of additional compensatory trick mode commands that only further degrade the performance of the network.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Inventors: Stephen L. Maynard, Tho Autruong, John Callahan, Nicholas Nielsen
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Patent number: 7987477Abstract: A favorites list of program channels which a cable TV user likely prefers is generated automatically from which the user may select a program channel to watch. Each program channel in the favorites list is identified based on a measure of the duration in which the program channel is continuously tuned to. In an embodiment, this measure varies nonlinearly with such a duration. The favorites list may further comprise sublists of program channels which may correspond to different periods of a day, week, etc. The favorites list may be generated from programs watched on multiple viewing devices.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2009Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Time Warner Cable, Inc.Inventors: Stephen L. Maynard, Joseph M. Hassell, John W. Callahan, Tho T. Autruong, Vitaly Shoykhet, Karla J. Towne
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Patent number: 7954128Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing dynamic compensation for delays over extant infrastructure within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable network, and the infrastructure comprises that nominally used for on-demand (OD) services such as VOD. The method includes periodically or situationally assessing variable delays within the system associated with functional commands (such as “trick mode” commands), and dynamically compensating for these variable delays in order to improve the accuracy and timeliness of the user's trick mode command. This approach increases user satisfaction, and obviates the issuance of additional compensatory trick mode commands that only further degrade the performance of the network.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2005Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Time Warner Cable Inc.Inventors: Stephen L. Maynard, Tho Autruong, John Callahan, Nicholas Nielsen
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Patent number: 7864190Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating images, compressing image data, decompressing image data, and processing the decompressed image data so that it can be used by a rendering circuit of a device, e.g., a set top box, are described. Images are generated in the native format used by the rendering circuit of the device which will ultimately control the display of the image avoiding the need to perform processing associated with converting color component information from one format to another. Uncompressed image data is arranged in a file with color component values being grouped separately from alpha values to facilitate compression by a standard file compression technique. The file is compressed using a conventional file compression operation. The compressed image file is decompressed when needed and the alpha data and color component data is reorganized so that the color component values and alpha value(s) corresponding to individual pixels are grouped together.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2008Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Time Warner Cable Inc.Inventors: Stephen L. Maynard, John Callahan, Ben Payne
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Publication number: 20090254943Abstract: A favorites list of program channels which a cable TV user likely prefers is generated automatically from which the user may select a program channel to watch. Each program channel in the favorites list is identified based on a measure of the duration in which the program channel is continuously tuned to. In an embodiment, this measure varies nonlinearly with such a duration. The favorites list may further comprise sublists of program channels which may correspond to different periods of a day, week, etc. The favorites list may be generated from programs watched on multiple viewing devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2009Publication date: October 8, 2009Inventors: Stephen L. Maynard, Joseph M. Hassell, John W. Callahan, Tho T. Autruong, Vitaly Shoykhet, Karla J. Towne
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Publication number: 20090183219Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to updating a resident application (RA) and replacing an updated resident application with a previous version of a resident application are described. The methods and apparatus may be used for updating and replacing resident applications in set-top terminals (STTs) of a cable system including a cable network headend.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2009Publication date: July 16, 2009Inventors: Stephen L Maynard, Jed A. Reed, John W. Callahan, Benjamin L. Payne
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Patent number: 7509663Abstract: A favorites list of program channels which a cable TV user likely prefers is generated automatically, from which the user may select a program channel to watch. Each program channel in the favorites list is identified based on a measure of the duration in which the program channel is continuously tuned to. In an embodiment, this measure varies nonlinearly with such a duration. The favorites list may further comprise sublists of program channels which may correspond to different periods of a day, week, etc.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2005Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Time Warner Cable, Inc.Inventors: Stephen L. Maynard, Joseph M. Hassell, John W. Callahan, Tho T. Autruong, Vitaly Shoykhet, Karla J. Towne
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Publication number: 20090060356Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating images, compressing image data, decompressing image data, and processing the decompressed image data so that it can be used by a rendering circuit of a device, e.g., a set top box, are described. Images are generated in the native format used by the rendering circuit of the device which will ultimately control the display of the image avoiding the need to perform processing associated with converting color component information from one format to another. Uncompressed image data is arranged in a file with color component values being grouped separately from alpha values to facilitate compression by a standard file compression technique. The file is compressed using a conventional file compression operation. The compressed image file is decompressed when needed and the alpha data and color component data is reorganized so that the color component values and alpha value(s) corresponding to individual pixels are grouped together.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Inventors: Stephen L. MAYNARD, John Callahan, Ben Payne
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Patent number: 7500235Abstract: A resident application (RA) in set-top terminals (STTs) is updated by providing an upgrade channel application (UCA) over a network. Those STTs that are selected to receive the UCA are identified. The selected STTs download the UCA from the network. Once the UCA begins to execute on an STT, it retrieves the user parameters stored in the STT, and transmits them to a remote location for storage. A new RA is then installed in the STT. The original user parameters are converted at the remote location to become compatible with the new RA. The converted user parameters are transferred to the STT for use by the new RA.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2003Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: AOL Time Warner Interactive Video Group, Inc.Inventors: Stephen L. Maynard, Jed A. Reed, John W. Callahan, Benjamin L. Payne
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Patent number: 7450134Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating images, compressing image data, decompressing image data, and processing the decompressed image data so that it can be used by a rendering circuit of a device, e.g., a set top box, are described. Images are generated in the native format used by the rendering circuit of the device which will ultimately control the display of the image avoiding the need to perform processing associated with converting color component information from one format to another. Uncompressed image data is arranged in a file with color component values being grouped separately from alpha values to facilitate compression by a standard file compression technique. The file is compressed using a conventional file compression operation. The compressed image file is decompressed when needed and the alpha data and color component data is reorganized so that the color component values and alpha value(s) corresponding to individual pixels are grouped together.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2004Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Time Warner Cable Inc.Inventors: Stephen L. Maynard, John Callahan, Ben Payne
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Patent number: 6970940Abstract: A system and method for distributing multi-program audio over a network includes the use of a Local Area Network, Wide Area Network, an Intranet and the Internet. The system includes a network audio source, a network distribution system and end devices. The method, for distributing multi-program audio over a network includes creating a network audio frame from a plurality of blocks of data from at least one audio program, placing each network audio frame within a transport structure for transport across the network and assigning an address to the transport structure prior to delivering the transport structure to a physical media.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: 3Com CorporationInventors: Mark O. Vogel, Stephen L. Maynard, Ali Akgun