Patents by Inventor David L. Sparks

David L. Sparks has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9565240
    Abstract: A server system stores media library associated with a user. The media library includes at least one media file. The server system determines whether the media file is stored on a second computing device that is able to send the media file to the first computing device across a local network connecting the first computing device and the second computing device. If the determination indicates that the media file is stored on a second computing device that is able to send the stored media file to the first computing device across a local network connecting the first computing device and the second computing device, the server system sends causes the second computing device to send the media file to the first computing device across the local network such that the first computing device is able to output the media file to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20150350302
    Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for loading media files to a mobile computing device. A media library that includes media files is stored at a server system. Information indicating a present state of the mobile device is accessed, where the present state is based on the device being at a geographical location at a present time. Information indicating a previous state of the mobile device is accessed, where the previous state is based on the device being at a previous geographical location at a previous time. A selection of preferred media files are accessed based on the present state and the previous state. A selection of a subset of media files are accessed based on the preferred media files. At least a portion of each media file in the subset is transmitted to the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventor: David L. Sparks
  • Patent number: 9128961
    Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for loading media files to a mobile computing device. A media library that includes media files is stored at a server system. Information indicating a present state of the mobile device is accessed, where the present state is based on the device being at a geographical location at a present time. Information indicating a previous state of the mobile device is accessed, where the previous state is based on the device being at a previous geographical location at a previous time. A selection of preferred media files are accessed based on the present state and the previous state. A selection of a subset of media files are accessed based on the preferred media files. At least a portion of each media file in the subset is transmitted to the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Sparks
  • Patent number: 8725841
    Abstract: Data indicates characteristics of a user's multiple media files. The multiple media files are associated with a media library. At least one of the multiple media files matches content in a master media file. The content in the matching media file is of a quality that is lower than the quality of the master media file. The user can provide payment for access to the master media file and, if the user does so, the master media file is associated with the media library and the user is provided with access to the master media file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Sparks
  • Patent number: 8375106
    Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for loading media files to a mobile computing device. A media library that includes media files is stored at a server system. Information indicating a present state of the mobile device is accessed, where the present state is based on the device being at a geographical location at a present time. Information indicating a previous state of the mobile device is accessed, where the previous state is based on the device being at a previous geographical location at a previous time. A selection of preferred media files are accessed based on the present state and the previous state. A selection of a subset of media files are accessed based on the preferred media files. At least a portion of each media file in the subset is transmitted to the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Sparks
  • Patent number: 8370314
    Abstract: Methods, systems and program products for replacing a master media file. Data indicates characteristics of a first user's multiple media files. At least one of the multiple media files matches content in a master media file. The content in the matching media file is of a second quality that is higher than the first quality of the master media file. A server system stores the matching media file in place of the master media file. The server system receives a request from a second user for content matching the master media file, and accesses quality parameters that indicate the second user can access a version of the content at a third quality that is less than the second quality. A media file that contains the requested content at the third quality is generated and sent to the second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Sparks, Marco Nelissen
  • Patent number: 8352576
    Abstract: A server system stores media library associated with a user. The media library includes at least one media file. The server system determines whether the media file is stored on a second computing device that is able to send the media file to the first computing device across a local network connecting the first computing device and the second computing device. If the determination indicates that the media file is stored on a second computing device that is able to send the stored media file to the first computing device across a local network connecting the first computing device and the second computing device, the server system sends causes the second computing device to send the media file to the first computing device across the local network such that the first computing device is able to output the media file to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Sparks
  • Patent number: 8335774
    Abstract: Methods, systems and program products for replacing a master media file. Data indicates characteristics of a first user's multiple media files. At least one of the multiple media files matches content in a master media file. The content in the matching media file is of a second quality that is higher than the first quality of the master media file. A server system stores the matching media file in place of the master media file. The server system receives a request from a second user for content matching the master media file, and accesses quality parameters that indicate the second user can access a version of the content at a third quality that is less than the second quality. A media file that contains the requested content at the third quality is generated and sent to the second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Sparks, Marco Nelissen
  • Publication number: 20120124172
    Abstract: Data indicates characteristics of a user's multiple media files. The multiple media files are associated with a media library. At least one of the multiple media files matches content in a master media file. The content in the matching media file is of a quality that is lower than the quality of the master media file. The user can provide payment for access to the master media file and, if the user does so, the master media file is associated with the media library and the user is provided with access to the master media file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventor: David L. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20120124177
    Abstract: Data indicates characteristics of a user's multiple media files. The multiple media files are associated with a media library. At least one of the multiple media files matches content in a master media file. The content in the matching media file is of a quality that is lower than the quality of the master media file. The user can provide payment for access to the master media file and, if the user does so, the master media file is associated with the media library and the user is provided with access to the master media file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventor: David L. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20120124178
    Abstract: A server system stores media library associated with a user. The media library includes at least one media file. The server system determines whether the media file is stored on a second computing device that is able to send the media file to the first computing device across a local network connecting the first computing device and the second computing device. If the determination indicates that the media file is stored on a second computing device that is able to send the stored media file to the first computing device across a local network connecting the first computing device and the second computing device, the server system sends causes the second computing device to send the media file to the first computing device across the local network such that the first computing device is able to output the media file to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: David L. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20120123838
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing incentives for media sharing. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request from a first user to share a media item with a second user, and providing the second user with access to the media item. The method includes determining that the second user has performed an action related to the media item, and in response to determining that the second user has performed the action related to the media item, accessing a referral attribute associated with the first user, the referral attribute being related to the action. The method includes comparing the referral attribute to a reference value, based on comparing the referral attribute to the reference value, determining an amount of referral credit, and providing the determined amount of referral credit to the first user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventor: David L. SPARKS
  • Publication number: 20120124171
    Abstract: A server system stores media library associated with a user. The media library includes at least one media file. The server system determines whether the media file is stored on a second computing device that is able to send the media file to the first computing device across a local network connecting the first computing device and the second computing device. If the determination indicates that the media file is stored on a second computing device that is able to send the stored media file to the first computing device across a local network connecting the first computing device and the second computing device, the server system sends causes the second computing device to send the media file to the first computing device across the local network such that the first computing device is able to output the media file to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20120109904
    Abstract: Methods, systems and program products for replacing a master media file. Data indicates characteristics of a first user's multiple media files. At least one of the multiple media files matches content in a master media file. The content in the matching media file is of a second quality that is higher than the first quality of the master media file. A server system stores the matching media file in place of the master media file. The server system receives a request from a second user for content matching the master media file, and accesses quality parameters that indicate the second user can access a version of the content at a third quality that is less than the second quality. A media file that contains the requested content at the third quality is generated and sent to the second user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: David L. Sparks, Marco Nelissen
  • Publication number: 20120110135
    Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for loading media files to a mobile computing device. A media library that includes media files is stored at a server system. Information indicating a present state of the mobile device is accessed, where the present state is based on the device being at a geographical location at a present time. Information indicating a previous state of the mobile device is accessed, where the previous state is based on the device being at a previous geographical location at a previous time. A selection of preferred media files are accessed based on the present state and the previous state. A selection of a subset of media files are accessed based on the preferred media files. At least a portion of each media file in the subset is transmitted to the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: David L. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20120109728
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing incentives for media sharing. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request from a first user to share a media item with a second user, and providing the second user with access to the media item. The method includes determining that the second user has performed an action related to the media item, and in response to determining that the second user has performed the action related to the media item, accessing a referral attribute associated with the first user, the referral attribute being related to the action. The method includes comparing the referral attribute to a reference value, based on comparing the referral attribute to the reference value, determining an amount of referral credit, and providing the determined amount of referral credit to the first user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventor: David L. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20120109997
    Abstract: Methods, systems and program products for replacing a master media file. Data indicates characteristics of a first user's multiple media files. At least one of the multiple media files matches content in a master media file. The content in the matching media file is of a second quality that is higher than the first quality of the master media file. A server system stores the matching media file in place of the master media file. The server system receives a request from a second user for content matching the master media file, and accesses quality parameters that indicate the second user can access a version of the content at a third quality that is less than the second quality. A media file that contains the requested content at the third quality is generated and sent to the second user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: David L. Sparks, Marco Nelissen
  • Publication number: 20120110126
    Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for loading media files to a mobile computing device. A media library that includes media files is stored at a server system. Information indicating a present state of the mobile device is accessed, where the present state is based on the device being at a geographical location at a present time. Information indicating a previous state of the mobile device is accessed, where the previous state is based on the device being at a previous geographical location at a previous time. A selection of preferred media files are accessed based on the present state and the previous state. A selection of a subset of media files are accessed based on the preferred media files. At least a portion of each media file in the subset is transmitted to the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: David L. Sparks
  • Patent number: 6330792
    Abstract: A thrust chamber assembly for liquid fueled rocket engines and the method of making it wherein a two-piece mandrel wrapped with a silica tape saturated with a phenolic resin, the tape extending along the mandrel and covering the combustion chamber portion of the mandrel to the throat portion. The phenolic in the tape is cured and the end of the wrap is machined. The remainder of the mandrel is wrapped with a third silica tape. The resin in the third tape is cured and the assembly is machined. The entire assembly is then wrapped with a tow of graphite fibers wetted with an epoxy resin and, after the epoxy resin is cured, the graphite is machined to final dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Charles S. Cornelius, Richard H. Counts, W. Neill Myers, Jeffrey D. Lackey, Warren Peters, Michael D. Shadoan, David L. Sparks, Timothy W. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 6195984
    Abstract: A thrust chamber assembly for liquid fueled rocket engines and the method of making it wherein a two-piece mandrel having the configuration of an assembly having a combustion chamber portion connected to a nozzle portion through a throat portion is wrapped with a silica tape saturated with a phenolic resin, the tape extending along the mandrel and covering the combustion chamber portion of the mandrel to the throat portion. The width of the tape is positioned at an angle of 30 to 50° to the axis of the mandrel such that one edge of the tape contacts the mandrel while the other edge is spaced from the mandrel. The phenolic in the tape is cured and the end of the wrap is machined to provide a frustoconical surface extending at an angle of 15 to 30° with respect to the axis of the mandrel for starting a second wrap on the mandrel to cover the throat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Charles S. Cornelius, Richard H. Counts, W. Neill Myers, Jeffrey D. Lackey, Warren Peters, Michael D. Shadoan, David L. Sparks, Timothy W. Lawrence