William Chad Helms

US Patent:

7716700, May 11, 2010

Filed:

Nov 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/303290

Inventors:

John Carlucci - Boulder CO, US
William Helms - Longmont CO, US

Assignee:

Time Warner Interactive Video Group Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

H04N 7/10
H04N 7/025
H04N 7/173
G06F 3/00

US Classification:

725 32, 725 36, 725105, 725114, 725115, 725116, 715723

Abstract:

Although personal video recorders (also known as digital video recorders) provide certain conveniences to viewers of programming content, such devices facilitate manipulation or “skipping” of commercials, frustrating the intent of the advertisers of the commercials. In accordance with the invention, when a user fast-forwards (rewinds) a commercial, alternate commercial(s) may be accessed for display in place of the original commercial, which provides a full impression of the goods and service promoted, otherwise impossible to appreciate at the fast-forward (rewind) speed. The duration of the alternate commercial(s) corresponds to the duration of the original commercial at the fast-forward (rewind) speed controlled by the user. With the invention, the user advantageously realizes the convenience of manipulating programming content, and at the same time can appreciate the full impression of an alternate commercial to the original commercial, albeit in a shorter duration.

US Patent:

7934083, Apr 26, 2011

Filed:

Sep 14, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/855735

Inventors:

Kevin Norman Taylor - Parker CO, US
James Fahrny - Parker CO, US
William Lynn Helms - Longmont CO, US
Azita Miahnahri Manson - Mountain View CA, US
Andrew T. Twigger - Reading, GB
Nancy Louise Davoust - Louisville CO, US

International Classification:

G06F 9/24
G06F 15/177
G06F 12/14

US Classification:

713 1, 713 2, 713191, 713192, 348725, 380203

Abstract:

A highly configurable kernel supports a wide variety of content protection systems. The kernel may reside in a host that interacts with a secure processor maintaining content protection clients. After establishing communication with the secure processor, the host receives messages from content protection clients requesting rules for message handling operations to support client operations. This flexible configuration allows for dynamic reconfiguration of host and secure processor operation.

US Patent:

8151294, Apr 3, 2012

Filed:

May 10, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/777072

Inventors:

John Carlucci - Boulder CO, US
William Helms - Longmont CO, US

Assignee:

Time Warner Cable LLC - New York NY
Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P. - New York NY

International Classification:

H04N 7/10
H04N 7/025
H04N 7/173
G06F 3/00

US Classification:

725 32, 725 36, 725105, 725114, 725115, 725116, 715723

Abstract:

Although personal video recorders (also known as digital video recorders) provide certain conveniences to viewers of programming content, such devices facilitate manipulation or Askipping@ of commercials, frustrating the intent of the advertisers of the commercials. In accordance with the invention, when a user fast-forwards (rewinds) a commercial, alternate commercial(s) may be accessed for display in place of the original commercial, which provides a full impression of the goods and service promoted, otherwise impossible to appreciate at the fast-forward (rewind) speed. The duration of the alternate commercial(s) corresponds to the duration of the original commercial at the fast-forward (rewind) speed controlled by the user. With the invention, the user advantageously realizes the convenience of manipulating programming content, and at the same time can appreciate the full impression of an alternate commercial to the original commercial, albeit in a shorter duration.

US Patent:

8307199, Nov 6, 2012

Filed:

Mar 4, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/040353

Inventors:

Kevin Norman Taylor - Parker CO, US
James Fahrny - Parker CO, US
William Lynn Helms - Longmont CO, US
Azita Miahnahri Manson - Mountain View CA, US
Andrew T. Twigger - Reading, GB
Nancy Louise Davoust - Louisville CO, US

Assignee:

Comcast Cable Holdings, LLC - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

G06F 9/24
G06F 15/177
G06F 12/14

US Classification:

713 1, 713 2, 713191, 713192, 705901, 348725, 380203

Abstract:

A highly configurable kernel supports a wide variety of content protection systems. The kernel may reside in a host that interacts with a secure processor maintaining content protection clients. After establishing communication with the secure processor, the host receives messages from content protection clients requesting rules for message handling operations to support client operations. This flexible configuration allows for dynamic reconfiguration of host and secure processor operation.

US Patent:

20060130113, Jun 15, 2006

Filed:

Dec 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/013671

Inventors:

John Carlucci - Boulder CO, US
William Helms - Longmont CO, US
Louis Williamson - Denver CO, US

International Classification:

H04N 7/16
H04N 11/04
H04N 7/173
H04N 11/02
H04N 7/12

US Classification:

725118000, 725148000, 375240030, 725116000, 725146000

Abstract:

A method and apparatus to create and transmit transport multiplexes comprising one or more levels of service over a network. In one embodiment, the level of service comprises high definition (HD) content or programs, and the transmitted multiplexes are distributed over a plurality of downstream RF carriers in a cable network simultaneously. A head-end architecture for performing the multiplexing and distribution of multiple HD programs over the multiple carriers (i.e., in a “wideband” configuration) is disclosed. CPE having one or more wideband tuners is also disclosed, the CPE being adapted to receive the multiplexed HD content from the various RF carriers, and demultiplex it in order to permit decoding and subsequent viewing by the user. The use of multiple HD source programs with the multiplex advantageously provides for enhanced statistical multiplexing by providing a larger “pool” of constituent inputs and available carriers.

US Patent:

20130227283, Aug 29, 2013

Filed:

Feb 23, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/403802

Inventors:

Louis Williamson - Denver CO, US
William L. Helms - Longmont CO, US
Howard Pfeffer - Reston VA, US
Noah Paci - Westminster CO, US
Tushar Nakhre - Herndon VA, US
Andrew Danforth - Chantilly VA, US
Charles Hasek - Broomfield CO, US
Shan Huang - Ashburn VA, US

International Classification:

G06F 15/16
H04L 9/28

US Classification:

713168, 709217

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods for providing content to IP-enabled devices in a content distribution network. In one embodiment, a network architecture is disclosed which enables delivery of content to such IP-enabled devices without the use of a high-speed data connection This capability allow the managed network operator to provide content services to an IP-enabled device associated with a non-data subscriber. In one implementation, requests for content from user IP-enabled devices are received, authenticated, and content processed into a series of encrypted segments. Once the requesting user/device is authenticated, the segments are provided with a playlist. The rendering device is also provided access to a decryption key (e.g., via a URL to a managed key server). Variants providing (i) user access to the MSO distribution network via an indigenous modem or gateway; and (ii) user access to the MSO core via a gateway and a third party unmanaged network are described.

US Patent:

20140047471, Feb 13, 2014

Filed:

Aug 22, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/973606

Inventors:

George Sarosi - Charlotte NC, US
William Helms - Longmont CO, US
Louis D. Williamson - Denver CO, US

Assignee:

Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC - New York NY

International Classification:

H04N 21/647

US Classification:

725 31, 725110

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for connecting, e.g., bridging, a cable network to other networks and/or devices is described. A bridge device facilitates the distribution of cable provider content to end users operating IP based devices. The bridge device performs one of more of the following: interface protocol conversions, user device controlled tuner selection, transcoding of data, transrating of a data stream, decryption in accordance with a conditional access protocol and re-encryption in accordance with an authorized service domain protocol.

US Patent:

20140068688, Mar 6, 2014

Filed:

Aug 28, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/596969

Inventors:

George Sarosi - Charlotte NC, US
Chris Cholas - Frederick CO, US
David Bell - Broomfield CO, US
William L. Helms - Longmont CO, US

International Classification:

H04N 21/47

US Classification:

725109

Abstract:

A DVR controller in network communication with a digital video recorder receives an instruction from a user directing the digital video recorder to perform a function among a set of available functions. The set of available functions comprises a record function operative to cause the digital video recorder to record content and store that content on the digital video recorder, and a playback function operative to cause the digital video recorder to play back content stored on the digital video recorder. Subsequently, at least in part in response to the instructions from the user, the DVR controller issues a command to the digital video recorder to perform the function. The digital video recorder is operative to present content on a presentation device controlled by the user. The DVR controller, in turn, is remotely disposed from the digital video recorder in a facility of a content provider.