Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090133049 | Method and Apparatus for Limiting Access to Programming in a Switched Digital Video System - A content delivery system headend is provided. The headend includes a Switched Digital Video (SDV) manager for coordinating SDV sessions requested by subscribers over an access network. The headend also includes an input unit such as a server for receiving content to be broadcast during the SDV sessions. Additionally, the headend includes a subscriber control unit for comparing channel change requests received by the SDV manager from subscribers to subscriber-established rules. Tuning information for accessing programming specified in the channel change requests is only supplied if the channel change requests do not conform to any of the subscriber-established rules for blocking the programming. | 05-21-2009 |
20120210382 | Content Archive Model - An archive model can be used for managing networked storage of recorded content, such as network DVR (digital video recorder) content. Content may be initially recorded to an active storage device, with individual duplicate copies recorded for each requesting user, and subsequently archived to an archive storage device. For playback, the content can be reconstituted into the active storage device prior to delivery to the requesting user. Content can be predictively reconstituted in anticipation of user needs, and the reconstitution capacity of the system can be dynamically reallocated for load balancing. | 08-16-2012 |
20120321278 | NETWORK RECORDER BUFFER - A network digital video recording (nDVR) system may take into account the capabilities of a requesting user's local DVR when managing network recordings. The user's local DVR may include a temporary buffer that is normally used to record what the DVR is tuned to, and may be used for local trickplay functionality such as pausing live television. The nDVR features described herein may track the usage of the user's temporary DVR buffer, and use that in determining what to stream in response to a user's playback request. The nDVR system can also determine if the user's local DVR has an unused tuner at a time of a program recording, and can instruct the user's local DVR to also tune to the program. | 12-20-2012 |
20140079374 | Optically Readable Codes in a Content Delivery System - A method, apparatus, and software are provided for using an optically-readable code such as a quick-response (QR) code. The optically-readable code may represent a uniform resource identifier (URI) including parameters that represent a query, such as a query for content and/or other data. The query results may be used to command a content consumption device to record or otherwise obtain an item of content. The optically-readable code may additionally or alternatively be determined based upon a status of the device, such as what content, or portion thereof, is currently being displayed, and/or what error condition is being experienced. | 03-20-2014 |
20140101708 | Transmission And Consumption Of Time-Shifted Content In A One-Way Communication Environment - Aspects of the disclosure relate to control of transmission and consumption of content in a device, such as an end-point rendering device. The content can include linear-programming content assets and/or time-shifted content assets. Consumption can be mediated by a control device that can coordinate the functional interaction between the device and a content distribution network node or an access network node that can supply the content and related information. | 04-10-2014 |
20140233923 | Managing Stored Content - A content management system may assist users in managing the storage of various pieces of content, such as television programs, that the user has recorded. The system may track the user's consumption behavior, determining which programs the user regularly watches and which programs the user regularly ignores, and use that consumption behavior to determine which recorded programs to recommend for relocation to a remote storage, or for outright deletion. The system can also use the behavior information to modify new recording requests, such as directing a new request to a secondary storage location if it is unlikely that the user will view the recording. | 08-21-2014 |
20140250235 | Streaming and Downloading of Content - Methods, apparatuses, systems, and software are described for providing content to a device comprising streaming content and sending content in a non-streaming manner (e.g., by downloading a file containing the content). In some aspects, switching between streaming and downloading may be performed in a dynamic manner during presentation of the content, and may be seamless to the user's viewing experience. | 09-04-2014 |
20140280688 | Methods And Systems For Dynamic Data Management - Methods and systems for managing data are disclosed. One method can comprise storing first data locally relative to a user device and storing second data remotely relative to the user device. The first data and the second data can relate to the same content. The method can also comprise generating a manifest comprising location information relating to the first data and the second data and receiving a request for transmission of one or more of the first data and the second data based upon the manifest. | 09-18-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100107201 | MEDIA CONTENT MODIFICATION AND ACCESS SYSTEM FOR INTERACTIVE ACCESS OF MEDIA CONTENT ACROSS DISPARATE NETWORK PLATFORMS - A media content playlist generation and access system for a video entertainment network is herein disclosed whereby a plurality of media content emanating from various disparate networks may be conglomerated into a customized list. The list may contain stored media content, which are customarily stored in the head end portion of a CATV network, media content accessible via the Internet, or yet to be aired media content. The system also provides for manipulation of the playlist from various consumer electronic display devices that are interconnected to the Internet, or the PSTN, thereby allowing further customization of the playlist at the user's convenience. Additionally, a multiple user account system is provided wherein multiple user accounts may be configured in order to allow a corresponding multiple individualized playlists, which are each customized to suit each user's tastes. | 04-29-2010 |
20100162321 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ESTABLISHING INDIVIDUALIZED SUBSCRIPTION PLANS IN A SWITCHED DIGITAL VIDEO SYSTEM - A content delivery system headend is provided which includes a Switched Digital Video (SDV) manager for coordinating SDV sessions requested by subscribers over an access network. The headend also includes an input for receiving content to be broadcast during the SDV sessions and a subscriber control unit. The subscriber control unit is configured to compare channel change requests received by the SDV manager from subscribers to a current subscription plan that specifies a pre-established set of channels to which the subscriber has previously subscribed. In this way tuning information for accessing channels specified in the channel change requests is only supplied if the channel change requests request channels included in the current subscription plan. | 06-24-2010 |
20100325658 | TARGETED ADVERTISEMENTS USING AN EDGE QAM - An edge quadrature amplitude modulator (QAM) including an input module configured to receive a switched digital video (SDV) stream containing at least one ad opportunity, at least one ad stream containing a plurality of alternative advertisements, and an ad playlist that contains a list of one or more of the plurality of alternative advertisements to be inserted into the SDV stream. The edge QAM also includes an ad insertion module configured to detect the at least one ad opportunity in the SDV stream and to insert one or more of the plurality of alternative advertisements in the at least one ad stream based upon the ad playlist into the SDV stream at the at least one ad opportunity and an output module configured to send the SDV stream and the one or more alternative advertisements to at least one STB. | 12-23-2010 |
20110119703 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING SDV UNICAST PROGRAMMING WITH TARGETED ADVERTISING ON A BANDWIDTH-AVAILABLE BASIS - A switched digital video (SDV) system includes an SDV manager for coordinating a SDV session requested by a subscriber terminal. The system also includes a plurality of edge devices for receiving a transport stream that includes programming content and transmitting the transport stream over an access network to the subscriber terminal on one of a plurality of SDV channels. The SDV manager is configured to monitor bandwidth and cause the edge device to deliver the SDV session to the subscriber terminal in a SDV unicast stream when sufficient unused bandwidth is available or as a SDV multicast stream when sufficient unused bandwidth is not available. | 05-19-2011 |
20120167128 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING PARENTAL CONTROL USING A PLAYLIST - A method for providing parental control via a playlist is disclosed. A playlist is received from a control server. One or more channel change control messages are sent to a client in accordance with a playlist. The one or more channel change control messages include tuning information for tuning to one or more programs or channels at times indicated in the playlist. | 06-28-2012 |
20150082328 | Content Recording And Storage Allocation - Methods and systems for providing content are disclosed. An example method can comprise providing content based on a subscription agreement or other arrangement. An example method can comprise identifying a portion of the content relevant to a user and providing an offer to the user to record the portion of the content. The offer can comprise an offer price and an access condition. An example method can comprise allocating storage and recording the portion of the content. Further, access to the stored portion of the content can be provided in accordance with the access condition. | 03-19-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080221527 | Arthroscopic harvesting and therapeutic application of bone marrow aspirate - Methods of arthroscopic harvesting of bone marrow aspirate from bone joints and therapeutic application of the bone marrow aspirate in a bone joint. The method of harvesting includes extracting bone marrow from a joint, adding a biomaterial, and adding clotting agent to form a clot. | 09-11-2008 |
20100249939 | TRAPEZOIDAL BONE PLUGS AND METHOD OF BONE-TENDON-BONE ACL RECONSTRUCTION - A method of synthetic grafting of bone-tendon-bone autograft harvest sites using preformed synthetic trapezoidal implants. The implants are formed of tricalcium phosphate, an osteoconductive bone graft substitute and filler, which allows for simultaneous controlled absorption and promotion of osteogenesis. The implants are preferably pretreated or presoaked intraoperatively in autologous blood, or autologous conditioned plasma, or bone marrow aspirate products to enhance healing ability. The implants are trimmed to match the patellar pole shape, pressed into place in the bone voids, and oversewn to complete the procedure. | 09-30-2010 |
20110004215 | LABRUM RETRACTING BURR - A rotary abrader allowing for improved visibility during surgery and improved aspiration of waste material. This is accomplished by providing a hood or sheath formed of a clear material and available in various shapes and sizes. The clear hood or sheath is also provided with a flattened, angled portion at a tip of the hood, to assist with retraction of the labral tissue while burring the glenoid rim. Slots are provided on the cannulated tube to provide aspiration of waste material and used to attach the hood to the cannulated tube. | 01-06-2011 |
20130338792 | IMPLANTATION OF MICRONIZED ALLOGRAFT TISSUE OVER A MICROFRACTURED DEFECT - Techniques, mixtures, mixing and delivery kits, and improved delivery instruments for implantation of micronized allograft tissue over a microfractured defect. Allograft cartilage tissue is delivered over a cartilage defect that has been debrided and microfractured, without the need for a periosteal covering or separate type of patch sewn over the top. The allograft tissue may be any micronized cartilage particulates obtained by various methods, for example, cartilage delivered in its native form, dehydrated via lyophilization, “freeze-dried,” dehydrated via desiccation, or dehydrated by any other method. | 12-19-2013 |
20140243891 | TISSUE PROTECTOR SUTURE CONSTRUCTS - Fixation of soft tissue to bone (or of soft tissue to soft tissue) is performed using a flexible material (for example, a suture strand, a braid, a suture tape, a stuffed suture, or a combination thereof) with a portion having an expanded footprint to provide a cushion or tissue protector between the flexible strand (suture) and the tissue to be attached. The suture and cushion may be manufactured from materials that have properties to amplify the body's healing response. The cushion may have any shape and geometry that provides cushioning action between the suture and the tissue to be fixated. The cushion may be provided along the length of the flexible strand (i.e., the flexible strand may be provided with a cushion) or the flexible strand may extend from the cushion. | 08-28-2014 |