Patents by Inventor Gregory Mack Garner

Gregory Mack Garner 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).

  • Publication number: 20240168125
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, and/or computer program product embodiments for a mobile device based control device locator. An embodiment operates by receiving a request to locate a control device, transmitting acoustic token transmission information to the control device to activate an electroacoustic transducer on the control device, receiving an acoustic signal including an acoustic token signal from the control device via a plurality of acoustic sensors, and determining distance information of the control device based on the received acoustic token signal generated by the electroacoustic transducer of the control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Gregory Mack GARNER, Patrick Alan BROUILLETTE
  • Publication number: 20240160234
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, and computer program product embodiments for modifying the functionality of an alternating current (AC) controlling device. An example computer-implemented method includes determining whether an electrical terminal of an AC controlling device is connected to a grounded conductor. In response to determining that the electrical terminal is connected to the grounded conductor, the example computer-implemented method includes generating a first control signal configured to permit the AC controlling device to perform a function. In response to determining that the electrical terminal is not connected to the grounded conductor, the example computer-implemented method includes generating a second control signal configured to prevent the AC controlling device from performing the function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventor: GREGORY MACK GARNER
  • Patent number: 11961521
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for providing voice control using multiple digital assistants. In some embodiments, a voice platform operates to receive a voice input from a user. The voice platform selects a digital assistant from a plurality of digital assistants based on a trigger word. The voice platform then generates an intent from the voice input using the selected digital assistant. The voice platform then transmits the intent to a media device for processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony John Wood, David Stern, Gregory Mack Garner
  • Publication number: 20240005926
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for distributing the performance of speech recognition among a remote control device and a voice platform in the cloud. In some embodiments, the remote control device operates to receive a voice input from a user. The remote control device detects a trigger word in the voice input. The remote control device then processes the voice input. The remote control device then transmits the voice input to a voice platform based on the detecting in order to determine an intent associated with the voice input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. WOOD, David STERN, Gregory Mack GARNER
  • Patent number: 11860654
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, and computer program product embodiments for modifying the functionality of an alternating current (AC) controlling device. An example computer-implemented method includes determining whether an electrical terminal of an AC controlling device is connected to a grounded conductor. In response to determining that the electrical terminal is connected to the grounded conductor, the example computer-implemented method includes generating a first control signal configured to permit the AC controlling device to perform a function. In response to determining that the electrical terminal is not connected to the grounded conductor, the example computer-implemented method includes generating a second control signal configured to prevent the AC controlling device from performing the function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ROKU, INC.
    Inventor: Gregory Mack Garner
  • Publication number: 20230403540
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for a device including a functional circuit, a power monitor circuit, and a controller. The functional circuit can be configured to perform a function. The power monitor circuit can collect power usage data of the functional circuit. The controller can transmit the power usage data to a master control device, and receive an instruction provided by the master control device. The instruction is generated based on the power usage data of the functional circuit and related to the function. Based on the instruction received from the master control device, the controller can adjust the function performed by the functional circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: GREGORY MACK GARNER, David Stern, David Westerhoff, Anthony John Wood
  • Publication number: 20230363062
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for a dimmer device including a driver, and a controller communicatively coupled to the driver and to a monitor device. The monitor device can include a camera and is configured to take a plurality of images of the illumination load. The controller provides a control signal that indicates to the driver to adjust power supplied to an illumination load. The control signal is provided in response to a determination that a performance of the illumination load fails to satisfy a predetermined performance indicator. The performance of the illumination load is determined based on information related to the plurality of images of the illumination load taken by the camera of the monitor device. The controller can adjust a dimming level of the illumination load by providing the control signal to the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventor: GREGORY MACK GARNER
  • Patent number: 11808875
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, and/or computer program product embodiments for a mobile device based control device locator. An embodiment operates by receiving a request to locate a control device, transmitting acoustic token transmission information to the control device to activate an electroacoustic transducer on the control device, receiving an acoustic signal including an acoustic token signal from the control device via a plurality of acoustic sensors, and determining distance information of the control device based on the received acoustic token signal generated by the electroacoustic transducer of the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ROKU, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Mack Garner, Patrick Alan Brouillette
  • Patent number: 11804227
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for distributing the performance of speech recognition among a remote control device and a voice platform in the cloud. In some embodiments, the remote control device operates to receive a voice input from a user. The remote control device detects a trigger word in the voice input. The remote control device then processes the voice input. The remote control device then transmits the voice input to a voice platform based on the detecting in order to determine an intent associated with the voice input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony John Wood, David Stern, Gregory Mack Garner
  • Publication number: 20230333719
    Abstract: Various embodiments for customizing a user interface based on user capabilities are described herein. An embodiment operates by determining a biometric of a user representing a characteristic of a finger size of the user based on an interaction performed by the user. It is determined that the biometric of the user indicates an ability of the user to navigate a user interface with one or more different features based on an ability of the user to interact with at least one existing feature of the user interface. Based on the determined biometric an identity of the user is determined. The determined identity of the user is verified by performing one or more verification actions subsequent to the determining the identity of the user. The user interface is customized, one or more different features corresponding to the finger size of the user are displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: Roku, Inc
    Inventors: James GREEN, IIya ASNIS, Gregory Mack GARNER, Tito THOMAS, Anthony John WOOD
  • Patent number: 11740771
    Abstract: Various embodiments for customizing a user interface based on user capabilities are described herein. An embodiment operates by detecting an interaction performed by a user with a user interface of a mobile device, the interaction being detected on a detection date and time. A biometric of the user is determined based on the interaction with the user interface of the mobile device. An initial identity of the user based is generated on the determined biometric of the user. A usage history for the initial identity of the user is retrieved. The detection date and time is compared to the usage history. The initial identity of the user is verified as an actual identity of the user based on the comparing. The user interface is customized based on the capabilities of the user in interacting with the user interface corresponding to the determined biometric after the verifying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: James Green, Ilya Asnis, Gregory Mack Garner, Tito Thomas
  • Publication number: 20230223024
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for providing voice control using multiple digital assistants. In some embodiments, a voice platform operates to receive a voice input from a user. The voice platform selects a digital assistant from a plurality of digital assistants based on a trigger word. The voice platform then generates an intent from the voice input using the selected digital assistant. The voice platform then transmits the intent to a media device for processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Applicant: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony John Wood, David Stern, Gregory Mack Garner
  • Patent number: 11690149
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for a dimmer device including a driver, and a controller communicatively coupled to the driver and to a monitor device. The monitor device can include a camera and is configured to take a plurality of images of the illumination load. The controller provides a control signal that indicates to the driver to adjust power supplied to an illumination load. The control signal is provided in response to a determination that a performance of the illumination load fails to satisfy a predetermined performance indicator. The performance of the illumination load is determined based on information related to the plurality of images of the illumination load taken by the camera of the monitor device. The controller can adjust a dimming level of the illumination load by providing the control signal to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: ROKU, INC.
    Inventor: Gregory Mack Garner
  • Publication number: 20230156882
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for a dimmer device including a driver, and a controller communicatively coupled to the driver and to a monitor device. The monitor device can include a camera and is configured to take a plurality of images of the illumination load. The controller provides a control signal that indicates to the driver to adjust power supplied to an illumination load. The control signal is provided in response to a determination that a performance of the illumination load fails to satisfy a predetermined performance indicator. The performance of the illumination load is determined based on information related to the plurality of images of the illumination load taken by the camera of the monitor device. The controller can adjust a dimming level of the illumination load by providing the control signal to the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Roku, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Mack GARNER
  • Patent number: 11653187
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for a device including a functional circuit, a power monitor circuit, and a controller. The functional circuit can be configured to perform a function. The power monitor circuit can collect power usage data of the functional circuit. The controller can transmit the power usage data to a master control device, and receive an instruction provided by the master control device. The instruction is generated based on the power usage data of the functional circuit and related to the function. Based on the instruction received from the master control device, the controller can adjust the function performed by the functional circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: ROKU, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Mack Garner, David Stern, David Westerhoff, Anthony John Wood
  • Patent number: 11646025
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for providing voice control using multiple digital assistants. In some embodiments, a voice platform operates to receive a voice input from a user. The voice platform selects a digital assistant from a plurality of digital assistants based on a trigger word. The voice platform then generates an intent from the voice input using the selected digital assistant. The voice platform then transmits the intent to a media device for processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony John Wood, David Stern, Gregory Mack Garner
  • Publication number: 20230117823
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for detecting downstream devices connected to an electrical load controlling device. An example embodiment operates by detecting an association signal from a downstream smart device responsive to a downstream smart device detection signal. The example embodiment further operates by determining whether the downstream smart device is coupled to an electrical terminal of an electrical switching device and configured to receive electricity in response to an actuation of the electrical switching device. If so, the example embodiment further operates by generating a control signal configured to instruct the electrical switching device to prevent a deactuation of the electrical switching device and transmitting the control signal to the electrical switching device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: ROKU, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Mack Garner, David Stern, David Westerhoff, Dustin Verhoeve
  • Publication number: 20230116654
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for determining physical possession of one or more IoT devices. According to some embodiments, a method for determining physical possession of a plurality of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices includes determining physical possession of a first IoT device of the plurality of IoT devices. The method further includes determining whether the first IoT device with the determined physical possession satisfies a condition. In response to determining that the first IoT device with the determined physical possession does not satisfy the condition, determining physical possession of a second IoT device of the plurality of IoT devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: ROKU, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Mack GARNER, David L. Stern, David A. Westerhoff
  • Patent number: 11611797
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for providing over-the-air (OTA) content to electronic devices. Some embodiments operate by automatically providing program listings of OTA content to the electronic devices, wherein the program listings are displayed in user interfaces of the electronic devices; receiving a user selection of particular OTA content from one of the electronic devices; receiving electronic signals containing OTA content from an antenna; processing, using a tuner, the received electronic signals to extract the particular OTA content therefrom; and transmitting the extracted OTA content to the electronic device for playback. In some embodiments, the extracted OTA content is stored in storage of said the electronic device for future on-demand playback to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: ROKU, INC.
    Inventor: Gregory Mack Garner
  • Patent number: 11515726
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for detecting downstream devices connected to an electrical load controlling device. An example embodiment operates by detecting an association signal from a downstream smart device responsive to a downstream smart device detection signal. The example embodiment further operates by determining whether the downstream smart device is coupled to an electrical terminal of an electrical switching device and configured to receive electricity in response to an actuation of the electrical switching device. If so, the example embodiment further operates by generating a control signal configured to instruct the electrical switching device to prevent a deactuation of the electrical switching device and transmitting the control signal to the electrical switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: ROKU, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Mack Garner, David Stern, David Westerhoff, Dustin Verhoeve