Patents by Inventor Thomas Drapeau

Thomas Drapeau 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).

  • Publication number: 20230196410
    Abstract: First account information associated with a media delivery platform account is associated with second account information associated a third-party service provider account. Both the media delivery platform account and the third-party service provider account are associated with a particular consumer, and the first account information includes information indicating whether insertion of converted text-based notifications are enabled for a particular broadcast media stream. A text-based notification, which originates from the third-party service provider account and is directed to the particular consumer, is received. In response to determining, based on the first account information, that insertion of converted text-based notifications is enabled for the particular broadcast media stream: 1) the text-based notification into a converted text-based notification including personalized audio content; and 2) the converted-text-based notification is inserted into the particular broadcast media stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel N. MacTiernan, Thomas Drapeau, Lasse Hamre, Pablo Calamera, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
  • Patent number: 11587124
    Abstract: A first server controls insertion of media content into a media stream, and transmits the media stream from the first server to a media player. The first server also transmits, to a second server, information linking a particular consumer to both a third-party service and to the media player. Control of inserting media content into the media stream is passed from the first server to the second server. The second server receives consumer-specific content associated with the particular consumer from the third-party service, and maps the consumer-specific content to the media player based, at least in part, on the information linking the particular consumer to both the third-party service and to the media player. The second server then inserts the consumer-specific content into the media stream during a time period the second server is in control of inserting media content into the media stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel N. MacTiernan, Thomas Drapeau, Lasse Hamre, Pablo Calamera, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
  • Patent number: 11265355
    Abstract: A processing device implementing a streaming media service determines that a user has logged-in to the streaming media service, and retrieves, from a storage device, a user-specified location preference. The user-specified location preference indicates that a user has selected between receiving perishable content associated with a specified static location and perishable content associated with a current user location. a processing device included in a media delivery platform, obtains perishable content items selected in accordance with the user-specified location preference, assembles the perishable content items into an add-in block, and delivers the add-in block to the streaming media service. The streaming media service inserts the add-in block into a media stream associated with the user, and delivers the media stream to a user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Drapeau, Lasse Hamre, Pablo Calamera, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
  • Publication number: 20210150581
    Abstract: A first server controls insertion of media content into a media stream, and transmits the media stream from the first server to a media player. The first server also transmits, to a second server, information linking a particular consumer to both a third-party service and to the media player. Control of inserting media content into the media stream is passed from the first server to the second server. The second server receives consumer-specific content associated with the particular consumer from the third-party service, and maps the consumer-specific content to the media player based, at least in part, on the information linking the particular consumer to both the third-party service and to the media player. The second server then inserts the consumer-specific content into the media stream during a time period the second server is in control of inserting media content into the media stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel N. MacTiernan, Thomas Drapeau, Lasse Hamre, Pablo Calamera, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
  • Patent number: 10909577
    Abstract: A media automation system generates multiple instances of a media broadcast stream, which includes core content common to each of the instances of the media broadcast stream, and multiple spot blocks interspersed within the media broadcast stream. Each stream instance is associated with a particular media playout device. A user notification is received and a packaged user notification is generated for inclusion in a particular instance of the media broadcast stream. Packaging the user notification includes obtaining first account information associated with a media delivery platform account of a user associated with a particular media playout device, and second account information associated with a consumer notification service account of the user. The user notification is mapped to the particular media playout device based on the first and second account information, and the packaged user notification is inserted into a first available spot block of the particular instance of the media broadcast stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel N. MacTiernan, Thomas Drapeau, Lasse Hamre, Pablo Calamera, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
  • Publication number: 20190306214
    Abstract: A processing device implementing a streaming media service determines that a user has logged-in to the streaming media service, and retrieves, from a storage device, a user-specified location preference. The user-specified location preference indicates that a user has selected between receiving perishable content associated with a specified static location and perishable content associated with a current user location. a processing device included in a media delivery platform, obtains perishable content items selected in accordance with the user-specified location preference, assembles the perishable content items into an add-in block, and delivers the add-in block to the streaming media service. The streaming media service inserts the add-in block into a media stream associated with the user, and delivers the media stream to a user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Drapeau, Lasse Hamre, Pablo Calamera, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
  • Patent number: 10356147
    Abstract: Media consumers can elect to have local news, weather, traffic, or other perishable content inserted into customized media streams. The perishable content is inserted into the media stream as an add-in block containing items associated with a particular locale that matches a user location source preference. The user can specify a static location source preference, or a follow-me, or roaming preference, in which the user's current location is used. The perishable content is selected for inclusion in an add-in block by matching a user's location preference to a locale associated with the perishable content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Drapeau, Lasse Hamre, Pablo Calamera, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
  • Publication number: 20180268442
    Abstract: A media automation system generates multiple instances of a media broadcast stream, which includes core content common to each of the instances of the media broadcast stream, and multiple spot blocks interspersed within the media broadcast stream. Each stream instance is associated with a particular media playout device. A user notification is received and a packaged user notification is generated for inclusion in a particular instance of the media broadcast stream. Packaging the user notification includes obtaining first account information associated with a media delivery platform account of a user associated with a particular media playout device, and second account information associated with a consumer notification service account of the user. The user notification is mapped to the particular media playout device based on the first and second account information, and the packaged user notification is inserted into a first available spot block of the particular instance of the media broadcast stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel N. MacTiernan, Thomas Drapeau, Lasse Hamre, Pablo Calamera, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
  • Patent number: 9990655
    Abstract: A live media broadcast includes core content streamed to multiple users. While all consumers can be presented with the same core content, each individual consumer can be provided with individually customized content from various notification services during commercial breaks. For example, while one consumer can be provided with customized banking updates from her bank account during part of a commercial break, during that same commercial break another user might be provided with social media notifications or reminders from his calendar. Notifications or updates can be received in a text format and converted to an audio or other suitable format at an ad server, and delivered to a media automation system for insertion into a media stream in a way that integrates notifications into the listening or viewing experience without interrupting presentation of the core content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel N. MacTiernan, Thomas Drapeau, Lasse Hamre, Pablo Calamera, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
  • Publication number: 20170272486
    Abstract: Media consumers can elect to have local news, weather, traffic, or other perishable content inserted into customized media streams. The perishable content is inserted into the media stream as an add-in block containing items associated with a particular locale that matches a user location source preference. The user can specify a static location source preference, or a follow-me, or roaming preference, in which the user's current location is used. The perishable content is selected for inclusion in an add-in block by matching a user's location preference to a locale associated with the perishable content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Drapeau, Lasse Hamre, Pablo Calamera, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
  • Patent number: 9699232
    Abstract: Media consumers can elect to have local news, weather, traffic, or other perishable content inserted into customized media streams. The perishable content is inserted into the media stream as an add-in block containing items associated with a particular locale that matches a user location source preference. The user can specify a static location source preference, or a follow-me, or roaming preference, in which the user's current location is used. The perishable content is selected for inclusion in an add-in block by matching a user's location preference to a locale associated with the perishable content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Drapeau, Lasse Hamre, Pablo Calamera, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
  • Publication number: 20150046267
    Abstract: A live media broadcast includes core content streamed to multiple users. While all consumers can be presented with the same core content, each individual consumer can be provided with individually customized content from various notification services during commercial breaks. For example, while one consumer can be provided with customized banking updates from her bank account during part of a commercial break, during that same commercial break another user might be provided with social media notifications or reminders from his calendar. Notifications or updates can be received in a text format and converted to an audio or other suitable format at an ad server, and delivered to a media automation system for insertion into a media stream in a way that integrates notifications into the listening or viewing experience without interrupting presentation of the core content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel N. MacTiernan, Thomas Drapeau, Lasse Hamre, Pablo Calamera, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
  • Publication number: 20140006559
    Abstract: Media consumers can elect to have local news, weather, traffic, or other perishable content inserted into customized media streams. The perishable content is inserted into the media stream as an add-in block containing items associated with a particular locale that matches a user location source preference. The user can specify a static location source preference, or a follow-me, or roaming preference, in which the user's current location is used. The perishable content is selected for inclusion in an add-in block by matching a user's location preference to a locale associated with the perishable content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Clear Channel Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Drapeau, Lasse Hamre, Pablo Calamera, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Jacqueline J. Lockhart