Thomas A Day

US Patent:

7765235, Jul 27, 2010

Filed:

Dec 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/323984

Inventors:

Thomas Day - Superior CO, US
Michael L Craner - Exton PA, US

Assignee:

Rovi Guides, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G06F 7/00

US Classification:

707795, 707913, 725 55, 725 86, 386 46

Abstract:

The invention manages resources and resolve conflicts when locally recording multimedia assets from a variety of sources in multimedia delivery systems. Local and system resources such as storage, tuners, and bandwidth are considered when alternative sources for assets are available (e. g. , VOD). Rather than record assets locally, if equivalent assets are available via alternative sources, the recordings are deferred and a pointer to the equivalent asset is stored in lieu of the asset itself. When a user selects a multimedia asset for playback, an “on demand” or alternative source session is started for the asset associated with the pointer. Before the expiration date of the alternative source equivalent of the multimedia asset, it may be downloaded and recorded locally. The system may automatically determine based on various factors, such as transmission bandwidth, latency, and DRM, whether to store assets or pointers.

US Patent:

8214869, Jul 3, 2012

Filed:

Dec 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/324201

Inventors:

Thomas Day - Superior CO, US

Assignee:

Rovi Guides, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

H04N 7/173
H04N 7/16

US Classification:

725100, 725133, 725141

Abstract:

Systems and methods are disclosed which detect a change in the status of a multimedia asset in a multimedia delivery system, and take steps to make the multimedia asset available after the status change. The multimedia asset can then be locally recorded on the user's digital video recorder (DVR) before the status changes. Alternatively, the user can be directed to an equivalent asset, for example, video-on-demand (VOD). The user may also receive a notification, which can be displayed on a TV or computer monitor or send to a remote device, for example to a mobile phone as an email or a short message. The user may be able to purchase the asset and/or initiate recording the asset. The status can be, for example, an expiration date of an asset, or a change of the source or format of an asset.

US Patent:

20080141317, Jun 12, 2008

Filed:

Dec 6, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/635148

Inventors:

Jon P. Radloff - Castle Rock CO, US
Thomas J. Day - Superior CO, US

Assignee:

Guideworks, LLC - Radnor PA

International Classification:

H04N 7/173

US Classification:

725 87

Abstract:

Systems and methods for switching or toggling between various media content sources are provided. One or more standard versions of a requested media asset may be automatically mapped to an enhanced version, if available within the media system. An on-screen toggle option may also be presented, allowing the user to switch back and forth between one or more alternate versions of the requested media asset quickly and easily. A user may also set viewing preferences to automatically present media assets in a specified version.

US Patent:

20100333208, Dec 30, 2010

Filed:

Jun 24, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/822529

Inventors:

Thomas Day - Superior CO, US
Michael L. Craner - Exton PA, US

Assignee:

Rovi Guides, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G06F 15/16
G06F 21/00

US Classification:

726 26, 709226

Abstract:

The invention manages resources and resolve conflicts when locally recording multimedia assets from a variety of sources in multimedia delivery systems. Local and system resources such as storage, tuners, and bandwidth are considered when alternative sources for assets are available (e.g., VOD). Rather than record assets locally, if equivalent assets are available via alternative sources, the recordings are deferred and a pointer to the equivalent asset is stored in lieu of the asset itself. When a user selects a multimedia asset for playback, an “on demand” or alternative source session is started for the asset associated with the pointer. Before the expiration date of the alternative source equivalent of the multimedia asset, it may be downloaded and recorded locally. The system may automatically determine based on various factors, such as transmission bandwidth, latency, and DRM, whether to store assets or pointers.

US Patent:

20120240145, Sep 20, 2012

Filed:

Jun 4, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/487518

Inventors:

Thomas Day - Superior CO, US

International Classification:

H04N 21/24

US Classification:

725 14

Abstract:

Systems and methods are disclosed which detect a change in the status of a multimedia asset in a multimedia delivery system, and take steps to make the multimedia asset available after the status change. The multimedia asset can then be locally recorded on the user's digital video recorder (DVR) before the status changes. Alternatively, the user can be directed to an equivalent asset, for example, video-on-demand (VOD). The user may also receive a notification, which can be displayed on a TV or computer monitor or send to a remote device, for example to a mobile phone as an email or a short message. The user may be able to purchase the asset and/or initiate recording the asset. The status can be, for example, an expiration date of an asset, or a change of the source or format of an asset.

US Patent:

20210409829, Dec 30, 2021

Filed:

Jan 5, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/141727

Inventors:

- Philadelphia PA, US
Mark McKelvey - Malvern PA, US
Thomas Day - Superior CO, US

International Classification:

H04N 21/472
H04N 21/2747

Abstract:

Provided are methods and systems for reducing content storage space and network resources. A device, such as a network storage device, can receive a plurality of requests to record a content item with varying start times and end times. The network device can map the start time and end time of each request to a subscriber, premises, and/or device. The network device can determine the earliest of the start times associated with the content item and the latest of the end times associated with the content item. In an aspect, the network device can make a recording, starting at the earliest start time and ending at the latest end time.

US Patent:

20190373329, Dec 5, 2019

Filed:

May 6, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/404560

Inventors:

- Philadelphia PA, US
Mark Mckelvey - Malvern PA, US
Thomas Day - Superior CO, US

International Classification:

H04N 21/472
H04N 21/2747

Abstract:

Provided are methods and systems for reducing content storage space and network resources. A device, such as a network storage device, can receive a plurality of requests to record a content item with varying start times and end times. The network device can map the start time and end time of each request to a subscriber, premises, and/or device. The network device can determine the earliest of the start times associated with the content item and the latest of the end times associated with the content item. In an aspect, the network device can make a recording, starting at the earliest start time and ending at the latest end time.

US Patent:

20190098363, Mar 28, 2019

Filed:

Apr 25, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/962948

Inventors:

- Philadelphia PA, US
Mark McKelvey - Malvern PA, US
Thomas Day - Superior CO, US

International Classification:

H04N 21/472
H04N 21/2747
H04N 21/433

Abstract:

Provided are methods and systems for reducing content storage space and network resources. A device, such as a network storage device, can receive a plurality of requests to record a content item with varying start times and end times. The network device can map the start time and end time of each request to a subscriber, premises, and/or device. The network device can determine the earliest of the start times associated with the content item and the latest of the end times associated with the content item. In an aspect, the network device can make a recording, starting at the earliest start time and ending at the latest end time.