IP Library Granted Patent US 12,604,047
Granted Patent B2
US 12,604,047 · App. 18/733,331 · Granted Apr 14, 2026

Just in time content conditioning

Inventor: Andrew Morrow (Denver, CO)
Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
H04N21/23424H04N21/26241H04N21/812H04N21/84H04N21/8456
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,604,047
App. No.
18/733,331
Granted
Apr 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device may receive a manifest that identifies a plurality of content fragments associated with a content asset. The device may receive or access instructions for inserting secondary content into a location of the content asset that does not align with the boundaries between the content fragments. Based on the received instructions, the playback device may generate updated manifest information that identifies a first modified content fragment and a second modified content fragment. The location for inserting the secondary content in the updated manifest information may align with a new boundary of the first modified content fragment or the second modified content fragment. The device may share the updated manifest information, and may receive a modified manifest file, or content asset, comprising the modified content fragments.

Claims (40)

1 . A method comprising:

sending, to a device, a manifest for a content asset, wherein the manifest identifies a content fragment associated with the content asset;

receiving, from the device, information that identifies a modified content fragment, wherein the information is generated based on a determination that a location for insertion of secondary content falls within the duration of the content fragment;

generating, based on the information that identifies the modified content fragment, a modified content fragment associated with the content asset; and

sending, to the device, the modified content fragment.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the received information further identifies a deleted portion of the content fragment.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the deleted portion of the content fragment comprises expired content.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the modified content fragment comprises at least a portion of the content fragment and the secondary content.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the secondary content comprises an advertisement.

6 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause:

sending, to a device, a manifest for a content asset, wherein the manifest identifies a content fragment associated with the content asset;

receiving, from the device, information that identifies a modified content fragment, wherein the information is generated based on a determination that a location for insertion of secondary content falls within the duration of the content fragment;

generating, based on the information that identifies the modified content fragment, a modified content fragment associated with the content asset; and

sending, to the device, the modified content fragment.

7 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 6 , wherein the received information further identifies a deleted portion of the content fragment.

8 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7 , wherein the deleted portion of the content fragment comprises expired content.

9 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 6 , wherein the modified content fragment comprises at least a portion of the content fragment and the secondary content.

10 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 6 , wherein the secondary content comprises an advertisement.

11 . A content server comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the content server to:

send, to a device, a manifest for a content asset, wherein the manifest identifies a content fragment associated with the content asset;

receive, from the device, information that identifies a modified content fragment, wherein the information is generated based on a determination that a location for insertion of secondary content falls within the duration of the content fragment;

generate, based on the information that identifies the modified content fragment, a modified content fragment associated with the content asset; and

send, to the device, the modified content fragment.

12 . The content server of claim 11 , wherein the received information further identifies a deleted portion of the content fragment.

13 . The content server of claim 12 , wherein the deleted portion of the content fragment comprises expired content.

14 . The content server of claim 11 , wherein the modified content fragment comprises at least a portion of the content fragment and the secondary content.

15 . The content server of claim 11 , wherein the secondary content comprises an advertisement.

16 . A system comprising:

a device; and

a content server configured to:

send, to the device, a manifest for a content asset, wherein the manifest identifies a content fragment associated with the content asset;

receive, from the device, information that identifies a modified content fragment, wherein the information is generated based on a determination that a location for insertion of secondary content falls within the duration of the content fragment;

generate, based on the information that identifies the modified content fragment, a modified content fragment associated with the content asset; and

send, to the device, the modified content fragment.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the received information further comprises a deleted portion of the content fragment.

18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the deleted portion of the content fragment comprises expired content.

19 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the modified content fragment comprises at least a portion of the content fragment and the secondary content.

20 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the secondary content comprises an advertisement.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 6, 2024
From: MORROW, ANDREW
To: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 068196/0218 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 18183569 · Mar 14, 2023
Continuation 16867767 · May 6, 2020
Continuation 16116361 · Aug 29, 2018
Related Publication 20240323462A1 · Sep 26, 2024
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