公开(公告)号：US20220417570A1

公开(公告)日：2022-12-29

申请号：US17852808

申请日：2022-06-29

Applicant: Sling TV L.L.C.

Inventor： ROBERT DREW MAJOR ,  LEO DAVIS ,  HOWARD DAVIS

IPC: H04N21/239 ,  H04N21/274 ,  H04N21/231

Abstract: A remote storage digital video recorder (RSDVR) retains multiple copies of media programs so long as the copies are expected to be useful to at least one user. Rather than assigning copies to specific users at the time the program is recorded, copies can be assigned as the users request access to the particular media programs. Copies of unassigned programs can be deleted according to a schedule to reduce disk storage and processing demands on the system. A pool of program copies that are not initially assigned to particular users can be maintained until the user makes a specific request to view the program. This “late assignment” of program copies can substantially reduce the amount of data stored by the RSDVR system without substantially impacting the viewer experience.

公开(公告)号：US11237716B2

公开(公告)日：2022-02-01

申请号：US16601237

申请日：2019-10-14

Applicant: SLING TV L.L.C.

Inventor： Dale Lynn Shepherd ,  Bryan Douglas DeVries ,  Taylor Albert McGinnis ,  Andrew Dean Lynn ,  Jenna Bradford ,  Mary Stevens

IPC: G06F3/0354 ,  G06F3/0485 ,  G06F3/0488

Abstract: Devices, systems and processes facilitate adaptive user progressions through content. A process includes receiving a detected first user input motion and determining, based thereon, a first progression type. The process may include executing: a slow scrub progression when input motion occurs within a first area defined by a first velocity threshold VT1 upper limit and a first array sector range AS1; executing a fast scrub progression when input motion occurs within a second area defined by a second velocity threshold VT2 upper limit and a second array sector range AS2; executing a slow swipe scrub progression when input motion occurs within a third area defined by a third velocity threshold VT3 upper limit and a third array sector range AS3; and executing a fast swipe progression when input motion occurs within a fourth area defined by a fourth velocity threshold VT4 upper limit and a fourth array sector range AS4.

公开(公告)号：US20210297751A1

公开(公告)日：2021-09-23

申请号：US17198548

申请日：2021-03-11

Applicant: Sling TV L.L.C.

Inventor： Seth VanSickel ,  David Vern Mead

IPC: H04N21/81 ,  H04N21/234

Abstract: Devices, systems and processes for managing access to a program during a promotional period are described. A system may include a content system and a user device configured to access the program during the promotion. A content distributor may provide the program to the user device during the promotion. The content system may permit access to the program when the user device satisfies a first technical condition. The first technical condition may specify an end time for the promotion. A second technical condition may specify a start event for the promotion. The content system may permit access to the program during a promotional period defined by the start event and the end time. The end time may be predefined. The start event occurs when the user device communicates an acceptance of the promotion to the content system.

公开(公告)号：US20200169773A1

公开(公告)日：2020-05-28

申请号：US16732277

申请日：2019-12-31

Applicant: Sling TV L.L.C.

Inventor： R. Drew Major

IPC: H04N21/262 ,  H04H60/37 ,  H04N21/234 ,  G06Q30/02

Abstract: Systems, devices and automated process allow automatic replacement of advertisements or other content in previously-broadcast television programs. A content management system or the like operating on a digital network receives indicia from playback devices that have encountered identified advertisements that are stored in digital video recorders or that are otherwise contained within previously-broadcast television programs. The encounters are recorded in a database for subsequent analysis. If desired, the previously-broadcast advertisements may be replaced with more relevant or engaging advertisements prior to playback to the viewer, thereby allowing a fresher, more relevant and more engaging experience for the viewer.

公开(公告)号：US20250036682A1

公开(公告)日：2025-01-30

申请号：US18913818

申请日：2024-10-11

Applicant: Sling TV L.L.C.

Inventor： Eric Dyoniziak ,  Robert Drew Major

IPC: G06F16/783 ,  H04N21/235 ,  H04N21/266 ,  H04N21/81

Abstract: The present invention recognizes media content using signatures generated by network devices with limited processing power. A signature comprises a first set of frequency-amplitude pairs associated with a first piece of content. The signature is compared with stored signatures corresponding to known content. Each of the stored signatures comprises a stored set of frequency-amplitude pairs. The first piece of content is identified as being or including known content in response to the first signature matching a stored signature.

公开(公告)号：US20250024108A1

公开(公告)日：2025-01-16

申请号：US18439551

申请日：2024-02-12

Applicant: Sling TV L.L.C. ,  DISH Network Technologies India Private Limited

Inventor： Shawn Asuncion ,  Jonathan Lin ,  Amit Kumar ,  Sharat Kumar Shivakumar ,  Seth VanSickel ,  Kevin Holland ,  Gary Schanman

IPC: H04N21/4784

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for tracking reward associated with content consumption are provided. An example method includes receiving streaming content of at least one content item from a content provider, outputting, via an application being executed on the streaming device, streaming content to a display for playback of the output content, periodically generating a plurality of heartbeat messages during execution of the application. Each heartbeat message is timestamped and includes a header containing information about the at least one content item, and one or more entries indicating a current playback state regarding the output of the streaming content when the heartbeat message is generated. The method further includes transmitting the plurality of heartbeat messages to a user engagement tracking device connected to the user device and receiving a notification indicating a total duration of content output to the display during execution of the application.

公开(公告)号：US12141201B2

公开(公告)日：2024-11-12

申请号：US17827211

申请日：2022-05-27

Applicant: Sling TV L.L.C.

Inventor： Eric Dyoniziak ,  Robert Drew Major

IPC: G06F16/783 ,  H04N21/235 ,  H04N21/266 ,  H04N21/81

Abstract: The present invention recognizes media content using signatures generated by network devices with limited processing power. A signature comprises a first set of frequency-amplitude pairs associated with a first piece of content. The signature is compared with stored signatures corresponding to known content. Each of the stored signatures comprises a stored set of frequency-amplitude pairs. The first piece of content is identified as being or including known content in response to the first signature matching a stored signature.

公开(公告)号：US11962844B2

公开(公告)日：2024-04-16

申请号：US18157727

申请日：2023-01-20

Applicant: SLING TV L.L.C.

Inventor： R. Drew Major

IPC: H04N7/16 ,  H04N21/24 ,  H04N21/41 ,  H04N21/422 ,  H04N21/439 ,  H04N21/442 ,  H04N21/462 ,  H04N21/4722 ,  H04N21/478 ,  H04N21/81

CPC classification number: H04N21/4394 ,  H04N21/2407 ,  H04N21/41265 ,  H04N21/42209 ,  H04N21/42224 ,  H04N21/44222 ,  H04N21/4622 ,  H04N21/4722 ,  H04N21/47815 ,  H04N21/812 ,  H04N21/8173

Abstract: Advertisements in broadcast television programming are digitally replaced with different ads prior to viewing. Replacement can occur in time and/or place shifted content, and can be used to promote a particular advertisement that the viewer has not yet seen, thereby improving the reach of the ad without oversaturation. Data reporting by the playback devices is collected in a database of viewed ads. The information in the database can be used to refresh previously-viewed ads, to increase saturation of particular ads, to replace previously-broadcast but no longer relevant ads, or for other purposes as desired.

公开(公告)号：US20240056624A1

公开(公告)日：2024-02-15

申请号：US17885494

申请日：2022-08-10

Applicant: Sling TV L.L.C.

Inventor： Trent Badger

IPC: H04N21/2668 ,  H04N21/258 ,  H04N21/472 ,  H04N21/482

CPC classification number: H04N21/2668 ,  H04N21/25816 ,  H04N21/472 ,  H04N21/4826

Abstract: Processes, computing systems, and devices perform operations to generate an interface for selecting streaming content on a client device. The operations include selecting a tile of video content for inclusion in a ribbon, compiling a set of eligibility keys that identify subscription levels with an upgrade path to access the video content of the tile, and compiling a set of lineup keys that identify subscription levels with access to the video content of the tile. A key associated with a user account is matched to the set of eligibility keys or the set of lineup keys to select the ribbon for presentation to the user account. The ribbon is transmitted to the client device in the interface for selecting the streaming content device in response to the user account associated with the key being authenticated on the client device.

公开(公告)号：US11902604B2

公开(公告)日：2024-02-13

申请号：US18181436

申请日：2023-03-09

Applicant: Sling TV L.L.C.

Inventor： Robert Drew Major ,  Leo Davis ,  Howard Davis

IPC: H04N21/239 ,  H04N21/231 ,  H04N21/274

CPC classification number: H04N21/2396 ,  H04N21/23113 ,  H04N21/274

Abstract: A remote storage digital video recorder (RSDVR) retains multiple copies of media programs so long as the copies are expected to be useful to at least one user. Rather than assigning copies to specific users at the time the program is recorded, copies can be assigned as the users request access to the particular media programs. Copies of unassigned programs can be deleted according to a schedule to reduce disk storage and processing demands on the system. A pool of program copies that are not initially assigned to particular users can be maintained until the user makes a specific request to view the program. This “late assignment” of program copies can substantially reduce the amount of data stored by the RSDVR system without substantially impacting the viewer experience.