Patents by Inventor Todd Christiansen

Todd Christiansen 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: 10623975
    Abstract: An embedded modem for an unattended host device that provides improved cellular communications capabilities to the unattended host device. The embedded modem detects the occurrence of a signal effectiveness event reflective of the reliability of a cellular communication session, and upon detecting the occurrence of a signal effectiveness event, issues commands to improve the reliability of the cellular communications. The signal effectiveness event data can be communicated by the embedded modem on channel that is different from a channel provided for the host device to communicate its own data with an associated remote computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: OptConnect Management, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Garrett, Todd Christiansen, Mark Wilson, Aaron Allred, Matt Voigt, Kurt Larson, John Young, Kyle Rodgers, Greg Nash
  • Patent number: 10165026
    Abstract: There is provided a method and system for generating and distributing an encoded content transport stream. The method comprises obtaining metadata and at least one unique identifier that identifies content elements, generating a recipient specific list using the metadata and at least one of the unique identifiers, creating a content transport stream using the recipient specific list including the metadata and the identified content elements, encoding the content transport stream to generate the encoded content transport stream, and distributing the encoded content transport stream through at least one network path. The metadata may include destination points and priority information of the encoded content transport stream, which may take the form of sections of television programming or block of commercial advertisements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael V. Chiarulli, Todd Christiansen, David A. Dreispan, Joseph P. Kenny, Jerry A. Rapella
  • Patent number: 9596497
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method of recipient specific lists for distribution of media content. The method comprises obtaining at least one unique identifier (UID), wherein the at least one UID identifies a content, and wherein the at least one UID identifies a recipient location and presentation data, generating a recipient specific list (RSL) using the at least one UID, wherein the RSL includes at least one content identifier, and wherein the RSL includes at least one recipient identifier, and transmitting the RSL to an encoded content transport stream creator for creation of an encoded content transport stream. The at least one recipient identifier may correspond to a broadcast affiliate television recipient or a multichannel video programming distributor. Additionally, the RSL may contain primary content, such as television programs, movies, commercials, and promotional programming, as well as secondary content, such as content overlays, program schedules, and triggers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael V. Chiarulli, Todd Christiansen, David A. Dreispan, Joseph P. Kenny, Jerry Rapella
  • Publication number: 20140317666
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method of recipient specific lists for distribution of media content. The method comprises obtaining at least one unique identifier (UID), wherein the at least one UID identifies a content, and wherein the at least one UID identifies a recipient location and presentation data, generating a recipient specific list (RSL) using the at least one UID, wherein the RSL includes at least one content identifier, and wherein the RSL includes at least one recipient identifier, and transmitting the RSL to an encoded content transport stream creator for creation of an encoded content transport stream. The at least one recipient identifier may correspond to a broadcast affiliate television recipient or a multichannel video programming distributor. Additionally, the RSL may contain primary content, such as television programs, movies, commercials, and promotional programming, as well as secondary content, such as content overlays, program schedules, and triggers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael V. Chiarulli, Todd Christiansen, David A. Dreispan, Joseph P. Kenny, Jerry Rapella
  • Publication number: 20140181263
    Abstract: There is provided a method and system for generating and distributing an encoded content transport stream. The method comprises obtaining metadata and at least one unique identifier that identifies content elements, generating a recipient specific list using the metadata and at least one of the unique identifiers, creating a content transport stream using the recipient specific list including the metadata and the identified content elements, encoding the content transport stream to generate the encoded content transport stream, and distributing the encoded content transport stream through at least one network path. The metadata may include destination points and priority information of the encoded content transport stream, which may take the form of sections of television programming or block of commercial advertisements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael V. Chiarulli, Todd Christiansen, David A. Dreispan, Joseph P. Kenny, Jerry A. Rapella