| NBC Universal, Inc. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120110627 | TIME-ADAPTED CONTENT DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system for coordinated playback of time-shifted content with time-adapted complimentary content is provided. The time-shifted content may be played back from storage media, both local and remote. Time-shifting may occur by independent playback such as from optical discs and other memory devices, as well as from user manipulation of features in a playback system based upon real-time or near real-time content distribution. The content is identified, along with timing information identifying where in the content the playback is occurring. Time-adapted complimentary content may then be selected and transmitted to the playback system. Such time-adapted content may include advertisement, product and service offerings, complimentary information, audio and/or video content, and so forth. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120110608 | DIGITAL CONTENT AND RESPONSE PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD - Systems and methods are provided for allowing responses to offers displayed with digital content. The responses may be provided on a receiver system via a conventional feedback through the same distribution channel through which the content and offer were provided, or through an alternative channel, with data being transmitted from an alternative channel device to a transacting entity. For time-shifted playback, content is identified and time-adapted offers may be provided, taking into account factors such as the content, the time of play back, the date of play back, and so forth. The alternate response channel may be more suitable for time-adapted offer responses then for contemporaneously transmitted offers. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120042349 | BROADCAST/DIGITAL NETWORK SWITCHOVER SYSTEM AND METHOD - A technique is provided for the parallel communication of digital content via broadcast channels and two-way data communications channels. Mobile devices may receive the digital content by the broadcast channels, and depending upon user preferences, signal quality, signal strength and other factors, coordinated switchover may be made from reception and playback of the content from a broadcast channel to reception and content from a two-way data communications channel. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120030209 | METADATA/CONTENT RE-ASSOCIATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - Digital content, such as video, audio, multimedia, and similar files may be associated with metadata that is in some manner descriptive of the content by means of a unique identifier generated based on the content or a portion of the content. The two may be packaged in a wrapper. If the content is separated from the metadata, such as by circulation in a non-compliant environment, the content may be recognized by a regeneration of the identifier. Based upon the re-created identifier, the metadata may be re-associated with the content. Other scenarios may include generation of compilations for files that are not included in a wrapper with content and metadata, content that becomes dissociated with metadata by transcoding, and so forth. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20110311128 | DIGITAL WATERMARK DETECTION IN 2D-3D CONTENT CONVERSION - A system and method are provided for analyzing 3D digital content to determine whether a watermark is detectable. The watermark may exist in 2D content that is converted to 3D, and in such cases, the survivability of the watermark to the conversion process is evaluated. An anticipated location of the watermark in left and right 3D images may be determined, and the detectability based upon the anticipated location. A report may indicate whether the watermark survived the conversion in one or both images, or neither. The process may be performed for single frames, sequences of single frames, or entire files containing many image frames. Watermark placement may also be proposed for locations in 2D content, 3D content, or both. Watermarks may similarly be placed in the content. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110289326 | ELECTRONIC FILE ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A digital file is associated with a security attribute in which identification data for a physical key is stored. The digital file content is encrypted, and may not be decrypted by a receiving computer unless a removable physical key that can be associated with the receiving computer includes identification data which matches the identification data stored in the file's security attribute. The digital content encrypted in the file may be compressed, and a portion of the security attribute may also be encrypted. When a portion of the security attribute is encrypted, the receiving computer may decrypt only the encrypted portion of the security attribute unless the identification data of the security attribute matches the identification data of a physical key physically or wirelessly coupled to the receiving computer. Improved security and reduction of pirating of the digital content are therefore provided. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110145850 | DUAL CHANNEL AUDIENCE CUSTOMIZED BROADCAST DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD - The broadcast of content over a unidirectional broadcast channel is adjusted by analysis of data received from receivers of the content via a bidirectional data exchange channel. The broadcast may be altered in signal, signal strength, signal direction, encoding, and so forth. The receivers may communicate the data over any suitable network, such as the Internet. The data may include past, current and planned selections of content, as well as geographic and demographic information, when available. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110145849 | VIEWER-PERSONALIZED BROADCAST AND DATA CHANNEL CONTENT DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD - Data is transmitted by or collected from individual receivers of broadcast content on a particularized basis. The broadcast content is transmitted without regard to selection of a particular content stream by any one or more receivers. The receiver data is analyzed, and may be analyzed in conjunction with other information such as details on broadcast content streams made during certain times, and selections of broadcast streams by particular receivers. System configuration changes and targeted content may then be transmitted by a bidirectional data exchange medium to the individualized receivers based upon the analysis. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110038611 | DIGITAL CONTENT INTEGRATION AND DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD - Digital content, such as movies, television productions, and the like are processed and delivered based upon digital masters. The masters may be produced as the initial content, or any other content may be digitized to create the masters. An HD full aperture version is used to create a reduced set of masters that can be used to fill orders having a wide range of features and options. The HD full aperture version is combined with pan and scanned instructions parsed from original pan and scan files to permit automatic creation of the basic masters used to fill the orders, such as a letter box version, a 16:9 FF version, and a 4:3 FF version. The derived masters may be HD versions or SD versions. Upon receipt of orders, the proper version is selected and assembled with any other components that may be ordered by the customer. Ingestion of the masters may be delayed until order reception, and transcoding of the original master may also be delayed until order reception. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20100299342 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MODIFICATION IN COMPUTERIZED SEARCHING - A system and method for conducting a computerized search, including: receiving a query from a user; classifying the query; augmenting the query based on the classification; issuing the query to a search engine; and conducting a search based on the augmented query. Alternatively, a system and method for conducting a computerized search, including: receiving a search query; analyzing a knowledge base; modifying the search query based on the analysis of the knowledge base; issuing the modified search query to a search engine; and conducting a search via the search engine based on the modified search query to generate search results. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100161977 | ELECTRONIC FILE ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A digital file is associated with a header in which identification data for a physical key is stored. The digital file content is encrypted, and may not be decrypted by a receiving computer unless a removable physical key that can be associated with the receiving computer includes identification data which matches the identification data stored in the file header. The digital content encrypted in the file may be compressed, and the header may also be encrypted. When the header is encrypted, the receiving computer may decrypt only the header unless the identification data of the header matches the identification data for a removable physical key. Improved security and reduction of pirating of the digital content are therefore provided. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100159872 | MOBILE DEVICE WEBSITE VISITOR METRIC SYSTEM AND METHOD - Visits to a website or the like by mobile devices may be logged and counted based upon a subscriber ID or a session ID. If content is accessed via a carrier site, and a subscriber ID is available for the mobile device, the subscriber ID is used to record and count the visit. If the subscriber ID is not available, the session ID is used to record and count the visit. The session ID is attributed to a session that is initiated when content is accessed by the mobile device from the site. The session continues until the mobile device leaves the site. A cookie may also be set with the mobile device, if possible, and used in lieu of the subscriber and session IDs. More accurate measurements of site visits and visitors via mobile devices are afforded. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20090282161 | DATA TRANSFER CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - Transfer of data files, such as large files for digital media, is performed through the intermediary of a gateway communication manager (GCM) that resides in an interface zone between external clients and an internal network. The external clients are registered with the GCM and request transfer of data files to the internal network. The GCM identifies a transfer agent to handle the transfer, and allocates a portion of shared bandwidth. If insufficient bandwidth is available or transfer agents are unavailable, the requested transfer may be placed in a queue and transfer occurs when bandwidth and agents can accommodate the request. The GCM may prioritize and re-prioritize transfers, such as based on the sender, content, and so forth. Multiple GCMs may manage transfers for external clients, and shared logs may be maintained to permit flexibility in management by the GCMs. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090263612 | System and Method for Photobleaching of Optical Media - A photobleachable ink composition having: at least one light-sensitive optical-state change material; at least one bleaching accelerant; at least one solvent; and at least one binder material; wherein the ink composition has a viscosity between about 0.1 centipoise and about 10,000 centipoise, and a maximum optical absorbance in a range from about 200 nanometers to about 800 nanometers; and wherein the ink composition is capable of change from a first optical state to a second optical state upon exposure to light. The composition may also include a plasticizer. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090246441 | System and Method for Photobleaching of Optical Media - A photobleachable ink composition having: at least one light-sensitive optical-state change material; at least one bleaching agent; at least one ionic liquid plasticizer; at least one solvent; and at least one binder material; wherein the ink composition has a viscosity between about 0.1 centipoise and about 10,000 centipoise, and a maximum optical absorbance in a range from about 200 nanometers to about 800 nanometers; and wherein said ink composition is capable of change from a first optical state to a second optical state upon exposure to light. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090019078 | Multi-Sided Media Viewer and Technique for Media Association - A system provides a multi-sided media viewer capable of displaying media assets from an electronic archival news and content database. Each side of the media player contains different information regarding the media asset. A primary side of the media asset may display a media asset related to an educational program, such as a course curriculum or the like. The secondary sides of the media viewer may contain additional information regarding that media asset, including personalized information generated by a system user as well as automatically populated information, such as information collected from other external news services or content providers. The system may further provide an educational game in which users are encouraged to find and draw connections between media assets to create an interconnection of related news items. The multi-sided media viewer may be a two-sided cue card, or a multidimensional news or content element having any number of sides depending on the additional information to be displayed with the media asset. | 01-15-2009 |
