Patents by Inventor Don Relyea
Don Relyea 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).
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Patent number: 10230917Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, a system includes a media content processing subsystem configured to display a scrollable program guide graphical user interface. The graphical user interface is configured to show a multiplicity of blocks of information corresponding to a multiplicity of content carriers. The processing subsystem is further configured to display a magnified area within the program guide graphical user interface. When a block corresponding to a particular content carrier within the multiplicity of content carriers is entered into the magnified area, the processing subsystem is configured to display enhanced information corresponding to one or more media content instances transmitted via the particular content carrier.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2006Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventors: Heath Stallings, Brian Roberts, Don Relyea
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Patent number: 10222934Abstract: An exemplary method includes a computing device providing a program guide that includes a matrix of cells associated with a plurality of media content instances and providing a condensed program guide that includes a condensed matrix of a subset of the cells and a plurality of interstitial symbols. In certain embodiments, each interstitial symbol in the plurality of interstitial symbols represents a single cell included in the matrix of the cells and excluded from the condensed matrix of the subset of the cells. In certain embodiments, the plurality of interstitial symbols does not occupy matrix grid space in the condensed matrix. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2011Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventors: Heath Stallings, Japan Mehta, Don Relyea
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Patent number: 9959908Abstract: An exemplary system includes a content processing subsystem configured to record at least a subset of a media content program and detect a defective portion of the recorded media content program that failed to be properly recorded. The content processing subsystem is further configured to provide a recording status indicator to an output device for presentation to a user, the recording status indicator identifying the defective portion of the recorded media content program. In certain implementations, the content processing subsystem is further configured to heal at least a subset of the defective portion of the recorded media content program and provide a healing status indicator to the output device for presentation to the user, the healing status indicator identifying the healed portion of the recorded media content program.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2012Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventors: Brian Roberts, Heath Stallings, Don Relyea
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Patent number: 9918043Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, a system includes a requesting media content processing subsystem and a network entity. The requesting media content processing subsystem is configured to transmit to the network entity a request to access a snippet of a media content instance. The network entity is configured to augment the snippet with additional media content and provide a user with access to the augmented snippet via the requesting media content processing subsystem.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2006Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventors: Brian Roberts, Heath Stallings, Don Relyea
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Patent number: 9635435Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, a system includes a media content processing subsystem and a network entity. The media content processing subsystem is configured to transmit to the network entity a request to access enhanced content corresponding to a media content instance that is selected by a user of the media content processing subsystem. The network entity is configured to process the request and provide a user with access to the enhanced content via the processing subsystem.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2006Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.Inventors: Brian Roberts, Heath Stallings, Don Relyea
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Patent number: 9449413Abstract: A video image capture component includes a light source operable in a first spectrum, a first image detector operable in the first spectrum, a second light source operable in a second spectrum, and a second image detector operable in the second spectrum. A filtering component generates a combination image by filtering a first image obtained by the first image detector with a high-contrast filter, resulting in a high-contrast image, and masking a second image obtained by the second image detector using the high-contrast image. A compositing component creates a composite image from the combination image and a selected image. A display component displays the composite image. Alternative systems and methods for creating a combination image include techniques involving thermal imaging, laser detection, and narrow band frequency detection.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.Inventors: Don Relyea, Michelle Felt
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Patent number: 9372935Abstract: An exemplary method includes receiving data representative of a content instance over a network from an access device associated with a user, storing the data representative of the content instance, providing the user with an interface configured to allow the user to define at least one access rule corresponding to the content instance, the at least one access rule based on at least one user profile and at least one access device profile, receiving a communication from another access device over the network, and performing a predefined action related to the content instance in response to the communication and in accordance with the at least one access rule.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.Inventors: Brian Roberts, Don Relyea, Shadman Zafar
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Patent number: 9173001Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, a system includes a media content processing subsystem configured to process a flagging request, which designates a scene within the media content instance as a flagged scene. The processing subsystem is further configured to generate an actionable data module containing additional content corresponding to the flagged scene.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2006Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.Inventors: Brian Roberts, Heath Stallings, Don Relyea
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Patent number: 9143495Abstract: An exemplary method includes 1) retrieving a set of presentation elements from a remote server, the set of presentation elements including a graphical element, 2) retrieving metadata from the remote server, the metadata associated with the graphical element and including information specifying coordinates at which the graphical element is to be displayed and a distance for the graphical element to cover within a graphical user interface, 3) using the metadata to determine a distance to stretch the graphical element within the graphical user interface, 4) stretching the graphical element the determined distance starting from the specified coordinates, and 5) including the stretched graphical element within the graphical user interface. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2012Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Verizon Data Services LLCInventors: Kishore Tallapaneni, Heath Stallings, Don Relyea
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Patent number: 9118869Abstract: An exemplary system includes a media content processing subsystem configured to provide a program guide graphical user interface having at least a first viewing pane and a second viewing pane to a display for presentation to a user, provide a selector object within the first viewing pane, and provide a list of content channels within the first viewing pane. When one content channel of the list of content channels is located within the selector object, the media content processing subsystem is further configured to provide within the second viewing pane a vertically oriented time axis and a vertically oriented list of at least one media content instance entry corresponding to at least one media content instance available via the one content channel during a time period represented by the time axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventors: Heath Stallings, Brian Roberts, Don Relyea
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Publication number: 20150128189Abstract: An exemplary system includes a media content processing subsystem configured to provide a program guide graphical user interface (“GUI”) to a display for presentation to a user, the program guide GUI including a portion of a program guide. The media content processing subsystem is further configured to provide at least one navigation tool to the display for presentation in the program guide GUI, the navigation tool including a plurality of selectable options for navigating the program guide. The media content processing subsystem is further configured to detect a user selection of one of the selectable options and initiate a navigation to a location in the program guide based on the selected option. In certain embodiments, the navigation tool includes at least one of a time-based navigation tool and a channel navigation tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2015Publication date: May 7, 2015Applicant: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventors: Heath Stallings, Brian Roberts, Don Relyea
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Patent number: 9021404Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, a system includes a content processing subsystem and a user device communicatively coupled to the content processing subsystem. The content processing subsystem is configured to provide content for experiencing by a user, the content processing subsystem being further configured to modify at least one element of the content based on a positional relationship between the content processing subsystem and the user device.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2006Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventors: Brian Roberts, Heath Stallings, Don Relyea
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Publication number: 20150071551Abstract: A video image capture component includes a light source operable in a first spectrum, a first image detector operable in the first spectrum, a second light source operable in a second spectrum, and a second image detector operable in the second spectrum. A filtering component generates a combination image by filtering a first image obtained by the first image detector with a high-contrast filter, resulting in a high-contrast image, and masking a second image obtained by the second image detector using the high-contrast image. A compositing component creates a composite image from the combination image and a selected image. A display component displays the composite image. Alternative systems and methods for creating a combination image include techniques involving thermal imaging, laser detection, and narrow band frequency detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Don Relyea, Michelle Felt
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Patent number: 8973040Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, a system includes a media content processing subsystem including an output driver configured to provide at least a component of a media content instance to a display for presentation to a user, and a receiver configured to receive an input command initiated by the user during the presentation of the component of the media content instance. The media content processing subsystem is further configured to select a control pane from a group of control panes based on the input command, each of the control panes including a different set of control tools, and provide, in response to the input command, the control pane to the display for concurrent presentation of both the component of the media content instance and the control pane to the user.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2013Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventors: Brian Roberts, Heath Stallings, Don Relyea
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Patent number: 8954874Abstract: A methods and systems are provided for presenting one or more topic specific portals. A portal may present various content relating to a common topic. The content may be episodes of a television show, movies, products, games, songs, images, and general information about the topic. The topic may be the television show, a movie studio, an actor, a company, or a particular genre or theme. A service provider may deliver the portal in an interactive programming guide sent to the set top boxes of its subscribers. The portal may be interactive such that subscribers may order or watch the content presented on the portal. A content provider may create or edit the portals and send the portals to the service provider. The delivery of the portal to the service provider by the content provider may be through an application programming interface.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2007Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventors: Raul I. Aldrey, Brian F. Roberts, Heath Stallings, Shafiq Kassam, Enrique Ruiz-Velasco, Bradford A. Jackvony, Don Relyea
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Patent number: 8935728Abstract: An exemplary system includes a media content processing subsystem configured to provide a program guide graphical user interface (“GUI”) to a display for presentation to a user, the program guide GUI including a portion of a program guide. The media content processing subsystem is further configured to provide at least one navigation tool to the display for presentation in the program guide GUI, the navigation tool including a plurality of selectable options for navigating the program guide. The media content processing subsystem is further configured to detect a user selection of one of the selectable options and initiate a navigation to a location in the program guide based on the selected option. In certain embodiments, the navigation tool includes at least one of a time-based navigation tool and a channel navigation tool.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2013Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventors: Heath Stallings, Brian Roberts, Don Relyea
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Patent number: 8930405Abstract: An exemplary method includes a media program scheduling facility 1) retrieving data associated with a fantasy game, the data representing players of interest engaged in a real-life competitive activity that forms a basis for the fantasy game, 2) determining, based on the data representing the players of interest and on media program listing data associated with a plurality of media programs, one or more of the media programs that are associated with the players of interest, and 3) providing a scheduling screen for display, the scheduling screen containing listing information for each of the one or more media programs determined to be associated with the players of interest. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2010Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventors: Don Relyea, Brian Roberts, Heath Stallings
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Patent number: 8832553Abstract: Interactive program guide data is received and elements to be included in an interactive program guide are generated based at least in part on the interactive program guide data. Each of the elements is positioned in a graphical user interface with respect to each of an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2007Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventors: Brian Roberts, Heath Stallings, Don Relyea
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Patent number: 8787579Abstract: An exemplary method includes receiving data representative of a content instance over a network from an access device associated with a user, storing the content instance, encrypting the content instance in response to a command initiated by the user, providing a key configured to facilitate decryption of the encrypted content instance, transmitting data representative of the encrypted content instance to a requesting access device, receiving data representative of a request to access the key from the requesting access device over the network, and performing a predefined action related to the key in response to the request and in accordance with at least one access rule, the at least one access rule based on at least one of a user profile and an access device profile.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventors: Don Relyea, Brian Roberts, Michelle Felt
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Patent number: 8776112Abstract: In an exemplary system, a data store includes at least a subset of media content, media content attribute data associated with the media content, user profile data associated with at least one consumer having access to the media content, advertising content, and content matching data associated with the advertising content. An access module is communicatively coupled to an access device and configured to receive a request sent by the access device, the request being for access to a media content instance included in the media content. A matching module is configured to match at least one advertising content instance included in the advertising content to the media content instance based on the media content attribute data, user profile data, and content matching data. The access module is configured to provide the matched advertising content instance to the access device for user presentation.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2012Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventors: Brian Roberts, Heath Stallings, Don Relyea