Patents by Inventor Stephen Rys

Stephen Rys 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: 12028581
    Abstract: A method can be provided which includes receiving a channel line-up for an over-the-top media content system, receiving a preferred channel line-up containing a portion of the channel line-up, displaying individual channels of the channels of the preferred channel line-up in a preferred order on a display associated with the processor, monitoring a location of the processor while displaying the preferred channel line-up, determining whether the location of the processor corresponds to a channel exclusion zone, and removing excluded channels from the channel line-up based on the channel exclusion zone. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: David Piepenbrink, Stephen Rys
  • Publication number: 20230199261
    Abstract: A method can be provided which includes receiving a channel line-up for an over-the-top media content system, receiving a preferred channel line-up containing a portion of the channel line-up, displaying individual channels of the channels of the preferred channel line-up in a preferred order on a display associated with the processor, monitoring a location of the processor while displaying the preferred channel line-up, determining whether the location of the processor corresponds to a channel exclusion zone, and removing excluded channels from the channel line-up based on the channel exclusion zone. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: David Piepenbrink, Stephen Rys
  • Patent number: 11606621
    Abstract: A method can be provided which includes receiving a channel line-up for an over-the-top media content system, receiving a preferred channel line-up containing a portion of the channel line-up, displaying individual channels of the channels of the preferred channel line-up in a preferred order on a display associated with the processor, monitoring a location of the processor while displaying the preferred channel line-up, determining whether the location of the processor corresponds to a channel exclusion zone, and removing excluded channels from the channel line-up based on the channel exclusion zone. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: David Piepenbrink, Stephen Rys
  • Publication number: 20220130114
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, identifying an audiovisual content item that is presented by a processing system, resulting in an identified content item, identifying a physical object in an environment where the processing system is located, resulting in an identified physical object, generating a virtual object that is based on the identified content item, and rendering the virtual object in accordance with the identified physical object. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Kunwar Handa, Stephen Rys, Jesse Forest
  • Patent number: 10887638
    Abstract: A method includes encrypting, at a server, a media content item to form encrypted content. The method includes determining, at the server, a group of media devices associated with users that are likely to request the media content item. The method includes multicasting, without receiving a related request for the media content item from a media device of the group, the encrypted content and information from the server to the group of media devices. The information includes a usage period of the encrypted content. The method includes, receiving, at the server during the usage period, an acceptance notice of an offer for the media content item from a media device of the group of media devices. The method also includes sending, from the server to the media device, a decryption key for the encrypted content responsive to the acceptance notice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Lee M. Chow, David Piepenbrink, Stephen Rys, James T. Sofos
  • Patent number: 10743047
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a service delivery platform system from a first video source, a control stream associated with a media content stream delivered via a media distribution network. The control stream includes conditional access information for the media content stream including a restriction condition to delivery of the media content stream. The method includes parsing, at the service delivery platform system, the conditional access information to create a substitute table for a head end of the media distribution network that will implement the restriction condition. The substitute table indicates a condition for delivery of a substitute media content stream, a start time, an end time, and a second content source for the substitute media content stream. The method also includes sending the substitution table to the head end from the service delivery platform system to automatically schedule a conditional access event that implements the restriction condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Lee Chow, David Piepenbrink, Stephen Rys
  • Publication number: 20180367859
    Abstract: A method can be provided which includes receiving a channel line-up for an over-the-top media content system, receiving a preferred channel line-up containing a portion of the channel line-up, displaying individual channels of the channels of the preferred channel line-up in a preferred order on a display associated with the processor, monitoring a location of the processor while displaying the preferred channel line-up, determining whether the location of the processor corresponds to a channel exclusion zone, and removing excluded channels from the channel line-up based on the channel exclusion zone. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: David Piepenbrink, Stephen Rys
  • Publication number: 20180352279
    Abstract: A method includes encrypting, at a server, a media content item to form encrypted content. The method includes determining, at the server, a group of media devices associated with users that are likely to request the media content item. The method includes multicasting, without receiving a related request for the media content item from a media device of the group, the encrypted content and information from the server to the group of media devices. The information includes a usage period of the encrypted content. The method includes, receiving, at the server during the usage period, an acceptance notice of an offer for the media content item from a media device of the group of media devices. The method also includes sending, from the server to the media device, a decryption key for the encrypted content responsive to the acceptance notice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Lee M. Chow, David Piepenbrink, Stephen Rys, James T. Sofos
  • Patent number: 10075752
    Abstract: A method includes determining, at a server, whether to send a media content item to a media device based on a recommendation, where the media content item is associated with a time period. The method also includes, in response to a determination to send the media content item, sending the media content item from the server to the media device, where the media content item is unplayable at the media device when attempted to be played at a time outside of the time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Lee M. Chow, David Piepenbrink, Stephen Rys, James T. Sofos
  • Publication number: 20180124443
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a service delivery platform system from a first video source, a control stream associated with a media content stream delivered via a media distribution network. The control stream includes conditional access information for the media content stream including a restriction condition to delivery of the media content stream. The method includes parsing, at the service delivery platform system, the conditional access information to create a substitute table for a head end of the media distribution network that will implement the restriction condition. The substitute table indicates a condition for delivery of a substitute media content stream, a start time, an end time, and a second content source for the substitute media content stream. The method also includes sending the substitution table to the head end from the service delivery platform system to automatically schedule a conditional access event that implements the restriction condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Lee Chow, David Piepenbrink, Stephen Rys
  • Patent number: 9866885
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a service delivery platform from a first video source, a control stream associated with primary media content delivered via a video distribution network, where the control stream includes conditional access information associated with a second video source, wherein the conditional access information of the control stream indicates a restriction of the primary media content. The method also includes creating a substitution table, at the service delivery platform, based on the conditional access information including an indication of a geographic area, where the substitution table correlates the primary media content with substitute media content of the second video source, and when the restriction prevents access to the primary media content, the substitute media content is provided via the video distribution network. The method further includes sending the substitution table to the second video source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Lee Chow, David Piepenbrink, Stephen Rys
  • Patent number: 9571889
    Abstract: A particular method includes receiving, at a device, an identifier of a set top box. The method also includes determining, at the device, based on the identifier of the set top box, whether the set top box is capable of supporting a high-definition television service or a digital video recording service. The method further includes selectively sending a power-up event to a service provider based on determining whether the capabilities of the set top box match a pending order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Stephen Rys, Adam Lee Klein, Lee M. Chow
  • Publication number: 20150256867
    Abstract: A method includes determining, at a server, whether to send a media content item to a media device based on a recommendation, where the media content item is associated with a time period. The method also includes, in response to a determination to send the media content item, sending the media content item from the server to the media device, where the media content item is unplayable at the media device when attempted to be played at a time outside of the time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Lee M. Chow, David Piepenbrink, Stephen Rys, James T. Sofos
  • Patent number: 9071875
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media including instructions for processing and distributing video-on-demand (VOD) content items are disclosed. A particular method selects a group of electronic devices to receive a VOD content item. The selection is based on group-level information associated with the group of electronic devices and based on user-level information associated with individual electronic devices of the group of electronic devices. The VOD content item is transmitted to each electronic device of the group via multicast. The VOD content item has an associated validity time period, and the encrypted VOD content item is automatically made unplayable at each electronic device in the group when the validity time period has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Lee M. Chow, David Piepenbrink, Stephen Rys, James T. Sofos
  • Publication number: 20150074707
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a service delivery platform from a first video source, a control stream associated with primary media content delivered via a video distribution network, where the control stream includes conditional access information associated with a second video source, wherein the conditional access information of the control stream indicates a restriction of the primary media content. The method also includes creating a substitution table, at the service delivery platform, based on the conditional access information including an indication of a geographic area, where the substitution table correlates the primary media content with substitute media content of the second video source, and when the restriction prevents access to the primary media content, the substitute media content is provided via the video distribution network. The method further includes sending the substitution table to the second video source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Lee Chow, David Piepenbrink, Stephen Rys
  • Patent number: 8924997
    Abstract: A method of restricting access to content delivered via a video distribution network is disclosed and includes receiving a control stream at a service delivery platform. The control stream is related to media content delivered via a video distribution network. The method also includes parsing the control stream and determining, from the parsed control stream, at least one geographical area in which access to programming associated with the video content channel is to be restricted. The method also includes automatically scheduling a conditional access event associated with the media content at least one video head-end of the video distribution network, the at least one video head-end serving the at least one geographical area. In a particular embodiment, the video distribution network can be an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, I, L.P.
    Inventors: Lee Chow, David Piepenbrink, Stephen Rys
  • Patent number: 8839288
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a tangible computer-readable storage medium having computer instructions to receive from a media processor a time-sensitive code embedded in a video stream received and presented by the media processor at a presentation device, retrieve collateral information associated with a scene of the video stream according to the time-sensitive code, and transmit the collateral information to a mobile communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Nadia Morris, Stephen Rys
  • Patent number: 8599718
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide enhanced 911 (E911) services for nomadic users are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving an Internet protocol (IP) address associated with a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) device and a media access control (MAC) address associated with the VoIP device, detecting when the VoIP device is outside an access network based on the MAC address and the IP address, prompting a user of the VoIP device to provide geographic location information for the VoIP device when the VoIP device is outside the access network, and updating enhanced 911 (E911) information for the VoIP device based on the geographic location information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Leonardo Velazquez, Sandra C. Lenhart, Sudha Gopal, Stephen Rys
  • Patent number: 8438593
    Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method of authorizing use of a set top box is disclosed. The set top box is operatively coupled to a network device that has an internet protocol (IP) address associated with an account of a subscriber. The method includes blocking a service to the set top box when capabilities of the set top box do not match a pending order associated with the account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Stephen Rys, Adam Lee Klein, Lee M Chow
  • Publication number: 20130054408
    Abstract: A method includes sending video content from a server system to a mobile device and receiving first data from the mobile device. The first data includes an identifier of the video content. The method also includes, in response to receiving the first data, identifying the video content based at least in part on the identifier and sending second data to the mobile device regarding an asset. The asset is related to the video content, downloadable at a second device that is distinct from the mobile device, and associated with a subscriber account of the mobile device. The method further includes receiving an indication of a purchase of the asset from the mobile device and in response to receiving the indication, automatically sending a grant message authorizing downloading of the asset by the second device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: David J. Piepenbrink, Lee Chow, Stephen Rys