Patents by Inventor William P. Franks

William P. Franks 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: 20240137593
    Abstract: A method is provided for streaming transcoded HLS video from a video asset to allow a minimum startup delay time. A method includes pre-transcoding a first number of the HLS chunks. Then, once a request is received from a remote HLS client for the HLS video asset, transmitting a number of the pre-transcoded chunks to the remote HLS player. The pre-transcoded chunks are transmitted during a startup period until real-time transcoded chunks can be received and processed by the remote HLS player at a time position to allow seamless transition from the pre-transcoded chunks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: ARRIS Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Mark S. Schmidt, William P. Franks, Paul Moroney
  • Patent number: 11838451
    Abstract: A method is provided for streaming transcoded HLS video from a video asset to allow a minimum startup delay time. A method includes pre-transcoding a first number of the HLS chunks. Then, once a request is received from a remote HLS client for the HLS video asset, transmitting a number of the pre-transcoded chunks to the remote HLS player. The pre-transcoded chunks are transmitted during a startup period until real-time transcoded chunks can be received and processed by the remote HLS player at a time position to allow seamless transition from the pre-transcoded chunks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Mark S. Schmidt, William P. Franks, Paul Moroney
  • Patent number: 11778014
    Abstract: Streaming content protocols typically provide playlists, a file that lists the location of each segment of a content stream. The playlist may change as the content server adds content to the content stream or because the length of the content stream continues to grow. Client devices periodically fetch the playlist, and are unaware whether the playlist has changed, and thus may needlessly use bandwidth repeatedly fetching the same playlist. Throttling content download o provides systems and methods for controlling the download of streaming content-related data according to the current status of the playlist and possibly also current bandwidth availability. Content server, by monitoring client device related playlist position and client device content buffer can regulate content streaming, to improve network bandwidth distribution. A content server determines whether the playlist has changed since the last time the playlist was requested and denies a request for the playlist when the playlist has not changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Krishna Prasad Panje, Praveen Girish, William P. Franks
  • Publication number: 20230291942
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for trick play using partial video file chunks includes a processor to retrieve the selected video file from an HLS server, the video file having a plurality of video chunks, and each one of the video chunks beginning with an I-frame. The processor may determine an average size of the plurality of I-frames. The average I-frame size may be based on a bitrate speed of the video file. The processor may retrieve a portion equal to the average I-frame size of from the beginning of each one of the plurality of chunks of the video. The processor may receive a begin trick play request of the selected video and initiate trick play of the selected video. The trick play of the video includes displaying each portion of each one of the plurality of chunks of the video.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: ARRIS Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Kaliraj KALAICHELVAN, William P. FRANKS, Mark SCHMIDT, Beena DEVADATHAN, Rajesh Kechal RAO
  • Patent number: 11647063
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a methods and apparatus to perform improved trickplay for higher speeds and high-latency networks. In one aspect, the method comprises receiving, in a processor, data comprising a video or audiovisual signal formatted in a sequence of chunks downloaded sequentially over a communications medium. When the processor receives a command to display the data at a trickplay speed that is higher than normal speed, the processor can begin to skip a number of chunks before downloading a next chunk in the sequence of chunks, decoding, and displaying the decoded chunk. The number of skipped chunks between each downloaded chunk may be a preset number and/or may be dynamically determined in the event that a downloaded chunk is skipped because it is not downloaded in time or if the expected download time of the next chunk is longer than the display time of the current chunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Rajesh Kechal Rao, Kaliraj Kalaichelvan, William P. Franks, Beena Devadathan
  • Patent number: 11616997
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for trick play using partial video file chunks includes a processor to retrieve the selected video file from an HLS server, the video file having a plurality of video chunks, and each one of the video chunks beginning with an I-frame. The processor may determine an average size of the plurality of I-frames. The average I-frame size may be based on a bitrate speed of the video file. The processor may retrieve a portion equal to the average I-frame size of from the beginning of each one of the plurality of chunks of the video. The processor may receive a begin trick play request of the selected video and initiate trick play of the selected video. The trick play of the video includes displaying each portion of each one of the plurality of chunks of the video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Kaliraj Kalaichelvan, William P. Franks, Mark Schmidt, Beena Devadathan, Rajesh Kechal Rao
  • Patent number: 11595457
    Abstract: A system and method dynamically adjusting the rate at which incoming content data is transferred into a media gateway appliance, and the rate at which outgoing content data is provided to one or more client devices by the media gateway appliance. This dynamic adjustment is performed in accordance with a predetermined program and as a function of real-time data streaming rates and predetermined rate parameters and preferences. The system and method enable the provision of an improved viewing and content acquisition experience for users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC
    Inventors: Aniela M. Rosenberger, William P. Franks, Kaliraj Kalaichelvan, Arpan Kumar Kaushal, Rajesh K. Rao, Ernest George Schmitt
  • Patent number: 11595734
    Abstract: Technologies are disclosed for providing stream media content and/or metadata indicating stream media content. A media control device may receive a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) request from a media content device. The DLNA HTTP request may have a header created by the media content device. The media control device may interpret the DLNA HTTP request header. A first metadata may be identified in the DLNA HTTP request header that may indicate a request for stream media content information. The media control device may send a DLNA HTTP response to the media content device. The DLNA HTTP response may have a header that may include a second metadata indicating the stream media content information. The second metadata may include information enabling construction of a HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) master playlist, a program map table, and/or a program association table associated with the stream media content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Kaliraj Kalaichelvan, Mark Schmidt, William P. Franks
  • Patent number: 11496727
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are drawn to a server device for use with a stream of encoded A/V data and an n×m array of client devices. The server device includes a memory and a processor. The memory causes the server device to decode the A/V data to gain access to decoded video data and decoded audio data, as well as determining the configuration of the n×m array of client devices. The memory causes the server device to separate the decoded video data into n times m distinct video data payloads and encode n times m converted streams of encoded A/V data. The memory additionally causes the server device to transmit the n times m encoded subdivided streams to the n×m array of client devices, respectively, based on the determined configuration of the n×m array of client devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC
    Inventors: Vinod Jatti, William P. Franks
  • Publication number: 20220321942
    Abstract: A system and method enabling the seamless transition between viewing a recorded portion of a program and rejoining a live stream of that program. The system and method enable the rapid provision of live-streamed content upon the exhaustion of the playback of recorded content. This achieved by utilizing a universal resource locator associated with the source of the content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicant: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC
    Inventors: Aniela M. Rosenberger, William P. Franks, Kaliraj Kalaichelvan, Arpan Kumar Kaushal, Rajesh K. Rao, Ernest G. Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20220321624
    Abstract: A system and method dynamically adjusting the rate at which incoming content data is transferred into a media gateway appliance, and the rate at which outgoing content data is provided to one or more client devices by the media gateway appliance. This dynamic adjustment is performed in accordance with a predetermined program and as a function of real-time data streaming rates and predetermined rate parameters and preferences. The system and method enable the provision of an improved viewing and content acquisition experience for users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicant: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC
    Inventors: Aniela M. Rosenberger, William P. Franks, Kali Kalaichelvan, Arpan Kumar Kaushal, Rajesh K. Rao, Ernest George Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20220321947
    Abstract: A system and method dynamically supporting the concurrent storage of both quadrature amplitude modulated formatted and Internet protocol formatted video content. In particular, this dynamic support is based, at least in part, upon the recognition of format of the content being stored or retrieved from a memory. This memory is typically a hard-disk drive associated with a media gateway appliance. The system and method enable the provision of an improved content viewing and storage experience for users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicant: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC
    Inventors: Aniela M. Rosenberger, William P. Franks, Kaliraj Kalaichelvan, Arpan Kumar Kaushal, Rajesh K. Rao, Ernest George Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20220303602
    Abstract: A method is provided for streaming transcoded HLS video from a video asset to allow a minimum startup delay time. A method includes pre-transcoding a first number of the HLS chunks. Then, once a request is received from a remote HLS client for the HLS video asset, transmitting a number of the pre-transcoded chunks to the remote HLS player. The pre-transcoded chunks are transmitted during a startup period until real-time transcoded chunks can be received and processed by the remote HLS player at a time position to allow seamless transition from the pre-transcoded chunks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Applicant: ARRIS Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Mark S. Schmidt, William P. Franks, Paul Moroney
  • Patent number: 11388463
    Abstract: A method is provided for streaming transcoded HLS video from a video asset to allow a minimum startup delay time. A method includes pre-transcoding a first number of the HLS chunks. Then, once a request is received from a remote HLS client for the HLS video asset, transmitting a number of the pre-transcoded chunks to the remote HLS player. The pre-transcoded chunks are transmitted during a startup period until real-time transcoded chunks can be received and processed by the remote HLS player at a time position to allow seamless transition from the pre-transcoded chunks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Mark S. Schmidt, William P. Franks, Paul Moroney
  • Publication number: 20220141277
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a methods and apparatus to perform improved trickplay for higher speeds and high-latency networks. In one aspect, the method comprises receiving, in a processor, data comprising a video or audiovisual signal formatted in a sequence of chunks downloaded sequentially over a communications medium. When the processor receives a command to display the data at a trickplay speed that is higher than normal speed, the processor can begin to skip a number of chunks before downloading a next chunk in the sequence of chunks, decoding, and displaying the decoded chunk. The number of skipped chunks between each downloaded chunk may be a preset number and/or may be dynamically determined in the event that a downloaded chunk is skipped because it is not downloaded in time or if the expected download time of the next chunk is longer than the display time of the current chunk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: ARRIS Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Rajesh Kechal RAO, Kaliraj KALAICHELVAN, William P. FRANKS, Beena DEVADATHAN
  • Publication number: 20220131711
    Abstract: A media control device manages one or more digital certificates that may be related to communication of electronic content. An expiration date may be identified of at least one digital certificate. A validity time period may be identified of the at least one digital certificate. The validity time period may be based, at least in part, on a comparison between the expiration date and a target date. An expiration status of the at least one digital certificate may be determined. The expiration status may be negative when the validity time period is greater than a predetermined time period. The expiration status may be positive when the validity time period is less than, or equal to, the predetermined time period. An electronic notification indicating the expiration status for the at least one digital certificate may be sent when the expiration status is positive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: ARRIS Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Vinod JATTI, William P. FRANKS
  • Publication number: 20220078526
    Abstract: Technologies are disclosed for providing stream media content and/or metadata indicating stream media content. A media control device may receive a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) request from a media content device. The DLNA HTTP request may have a header created by the media content device. The media control device may interpret the DLNA HTTP request header. A first metadata may be identified in the DLNA HTTP request header that may indicate a request for stream media content information. The media control device may send a DLNA HTTP response to the media content device. The DLNA HTTP response may have a header that may include a second metadata indicating the stream media content information. The second metadata may include information enabling construction of a HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) master playlist, a program map table, and/or a program association table associated with the stream media content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: ARRIS Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Kaliraj KALAICHELVAN, Mark SCHMIDT, William P. FRANKS
  • Publication number: 20220053180
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are drawn to a server device for use with a stream of encoded A/V data and an n×m array of client devices. The server device includes a memory and a processor. The memory causes the server device to decode the A/V data to gain access to decoded video data and decoded audio data, as well as determining the configuration of the n×m array of client devices. The memory causes the server device to separate the decoded video data into n times m distinct video data payloads and encode n times m converted streams of encoded A/V data. The memory additionally causes the server device to transmit the n times m encoded subdivided streams to the n×m array of client devices, respectively, based on the determined configuration of the n×m array of client devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Vinod JATTI, William P. FRANKS
  • Publication number: 20220030317
    Abstract: Technologies are disclosed for associating a subscriber's subscription profile established with a local media content delivery network, or MSO, with a remote CPE and/or network gateway device, perhaps for example served by the same MSO. One or more techniques may control the delivery of a subscriber's media content, perhaps for example by a media control device. Techniques may include receiving one or more credentials by the media control device, where the media control device is geographically remote from the subscriber's local media content delivery network. A signal may be sent to a media content delivery network device, where the signal may include information corresponding to the credentials. A configuration may be received for the subscriber's local media content delivery network in response to the signal. The configuration may be installed on the media control device. Media content may be delivered by the media control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: ARRIS Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: William P. FRANKS, Vinod S. JATTI
  • Publication number: 20210185366
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for trick play using partial video file chunks includes a processor to retrieve the selected video file from an HLS server, the video file having a plurality of video chunks, and each one of the video chunks beginning with an I-frame. The processor may determine an average size of the plurality of I-frames. The average I-frame size may be based on a bitrate speed of the video file. The processor may retrieve a portion equal to the average I-frame size of from the beginning of each one of the plurality of chunks of the video. The processor may receive a begin trick play request of the selected video and initiate trick play of the selected video. The trick play of the video includes displaying each portion of each one of the plurality of chunks of the video.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: ARRIS Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Kaliraj KALAICHELVAN, William P. FRANKS, Mark SCHMIDT, Beena DEVADATHAN, Rajesh Kechal RAO