Patents by Inventor Markus K. Cremer

Markus K. Cremer 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: 20210287669
    Abstract: Methods and systems for modification of electronic system operation based on acoustic ambience classification are presented. In an example method, at least one audio signal present in a physical environment of a user is detected. The at least one audio signal is analyzed to extract at least one audio feature from the audio signal. The audio signal is classified based on the audio feature to produce at least one classification of the audio signal. Operation of an electronic system interacting with the user in the physical environment is modified based on the classification of the audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Suresh Jeyachandran, Vadim Brenner, Markus K. Cremer
  • Publication number: 20210271448
    Abstract: In one aspect, an example method includes (i) determining, by a playback device, a first loudness level of a first portion of first media content from a first source while the playback device presents the first media content, with the first portion having a first length; (ii) switching, by the playback device, from presenting the first media content from the first source to presenting second media content from a second source; (iii) based on the switching, determining, by the playback device, second loudness levels of second portions of the first media content while the playback device presents the second media content, with the second portions having a second length that is shorter than the first length; and (iv) while the playback device presents the second media content, adjusting, by the playback device, a volume of the playback device based on one or more of the second loudness levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Markus K. Cremer, Shashank Merchant, Robert Coover, Todd J. Hodges, Joshua Ernest Morris
  • Publication number: 20210266616
    Abstract: A media client ascertains a plurality of matching points between (i) query fingerprints representing a media stream being received by the client and (ii) reference fingerprints, each identified matching point defining a respective match between a query fingerprint that is timestamped with client time defined according to a clock of the client and a reference fingerprint that is timestamped with true time defined according to a timeline within a known media stream. Further, the client performs linear regression based on the timestamps of the ascertained plurality of matching points, to establish a mapping between true time and client time. The client then uses the established mapping as a basis to determine a client-time point at which the client should perform an action with respect to media stream being received by the client. And the client performs the action at the determined client-time point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Dunker, Markus K. Cremer, Shashank C. Merchant, Kurt R. Thielen
  • Patent number: 11095950
    Abstract: Example methods and systems for displaying actionable elements over playing content, such as video content, are described. In some example embodiments, the methods and systems identify video content currently playing within a display environment provided by a playback device, and display an actionable element within the display environment provided by the playback device that is based on the identified video content and includes one or more user-selectable options to perform an action associated with the identified video content. Further, in some example embodiments, the methods and systems may perform an action (e.g., present supplemental content and/or information) in response to a selection of one or more of the user-selectable options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: ROKU, INC.
    Inventors: Markus K. Cremer, Wilson Harron
  • Patent number: 11068042
    Abstract: As a user is being presented with interactive media by a presenting device, a separate monitoring device may be used to monitor the presentation of the interactive media and detect an event that occurs therein. Such a monitoring device may be configured and positioned to access media content from the presentation of the interactive media. For example, the monitoring device may be configured and positioned to record video content with a camera and record audio content with a microphone. Having accessed this media content, the monitoring device may generate an identifier, such as a fingerprint or watermark, of the media content and compare the generated identifier with a reference identifier that is generated from the source of the media content. Based on the generated identifier matching the reference identifier, the monitoring device may detect that an event has occurred within the interactive media presentation and present a corresponding notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Benson, Michael Gubman, Craig Kawahara, Robert Coover, Markus K. Cremer, Andy Mai
  • Patent number: 11068232
    Abstract: In one aspect, an example method includes (i) determining, by a playback device, a loudness level of first media content that the playback device is receiving from a first source; (ii) comparing, by the playback device, the determined loudness level of the first media content with a reference loudness level indicated by a loudness level profile for the first media content; (iii) determining, by the playback device, a target volume level for the playback device based on a difference between the determined loudness level of the first media content and the reference loudness level; and (iv) while the playback device presents second media content from a second source in place of the first media content, adjusting, by the playback device, a volume of the playback device toward the target volume level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: ROKU, INC.
    Inventors: Markus K. Cremer, Shashank Merchant, Robert Coover, Todd J. Hodges, Joshua Ernest Morris
  • Publication number: 20210219011
    Abstract: A computing system identifies a media stream being received by a client, based on fingerprint matching conducted with query fingerprints generated by the client at a frame rate. The computing system then causes the client to increase the frame rate, in order to facilitate establishment by the computing system of synchronous lock between true time within the media stream and client time according to a clock of the client. The computing system then uses the established synchronous lock as a basis to map a true-time point at which a content revision should be performed in the media stream to a client-time point at which the client should perform the content revision. And the computing system causes the client to perform the content revision at the determined client-time point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Kurt R. Thielen, Shashank C. Merchant, Peter Dunker, Markus K. Cremer, Steven D. Scherf
  • Publication number: 20210211764
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed for synchronizing streaming media content. An example apparatus includes a storage device, and a processor to execute instructions to identify a first source streaming broadcast media to a first computing device based on an audio fingerprint of audio associated with the broadcast media, identify sources broadcasting the broadcast media streaming to the first computing device, the sources available to a second computing device including the processor, select a second source of the identified sources for streaming the broadcast media to the second computing device, the second source different than the first source, detect termination of the streaming of the broadcast media on the first computing device, the termination corresponding to a termination time of the broadcast media, and automatically start, by using the selected second source, streaming of the broadcast media to the second computing device at the termination time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Suresh Jeyachandran, Roger Tsai, Paul Emmanuel Quinn, Markus K. Cremer
  • Publication number: 20210200825
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed that involve a user profile based on clustering tiered descriptors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Phillip Popp, Ching-Wei Chen, Peter C. DiMaria, Markus K. Cremer
  • Publication number: 20210195276
    Abstract: A computing system identifies a media stream being received by a client, based on fingerprint matching conducted with query fingerprints generated by the client at a frame rate. The computing system then causes the client to increase the frame rate, in order to facilitate establishment by the computing system of synchronous lock between true time within the media stream and client time according to an clock of the client. The computing system then uses the established synchronous lock as a basis to map a true-time point at which a content revision should be performed in the media stream to a client-time point at which the client should perform the content revision. And the computing system causes the client to perform the content revision at the determined client-time point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Kurt R. Thielen, Shashank C. Merchant, Peter Dunker, Markus K. Cremer, Steven D. Scherf
  • Patent number: 11042353
    Abstract: In one aspect, an example method includes (i) determining, by a playback device, a first loudness level of a first portion of first media content from a first source while the playback device presents the first media content, with the first portion having a first length; (ii) switching, by the playback device, from presenting the first media content from the first source to presenting second media content from a second source; (iii) based on the switching, determining, by the playback device, second loudness levels of second portions of the first media content while the playback device presents the second media content, with the second portions having a second length that is shorter than the first length; and (iv) while the playback device presents the second media content, adjusting, by the playback device, a volume of the playback device based on one or more of the second loudness levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Markus K. Cremer, Shashank Merchant, Robert Coover, Todd J. Hodges, Joshua Ernest Morris
  • Patent number: 11044499
    Abstract: A media client ascertains a plurality of matching points between (i) query fingerprints representing a media stream being received by the client and (ii) reference fingerprints, each identified matching point defining a respective match between a query fingerprint that is timestamped with client time defined according to a clock of the client and a reference fingerprint that is timestamped with true time defined according to a timeline within a known media stream. Further, the client performs linear regression based on the timestamps of the ascertained plurality of matching points, to establish a mapping between true time and client time. The client then uses the established mapping as a basis to determine a client-time point at which the client should perform an action with respect to media stream being received by the client. And the client performs the action at the determined client-time point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Dunker, Markus K. Cremer, Shashank C. Merchant, Kurt R. Thielen
  • Publication number: 20210182329
    Abstract: A clustering machine can cluster descriptive vectors in a balanced manner. The clustering machine calculates distances between pairs of descriptive vectors and generates clusters of vectors arranged in a hierarchy. The clustering machine determines centroid vectors of the clusters, such that each cluster is represented by its corresponding centroid vector. The clustering machine calculates a sum of inter-cluster vector distances between pairs of centroid vectors, as well as a sum of intra-cluster vector distances between pairs of vectors in the clusters. The clustering machine calculates multiple scores of the hierarchy by varying a scalar and calculating a separate score for each scalar. The calculation of each score is based on the two sums previously calculated for the hierarchy. The clustering machine may select or otherwise identify a balanced subset of the hierarchy by finding an extremum in the calculated scores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Aneesh Vartakavi, Peter C. DiMaria, Markus K. Cremer, Phillip Popp
  • Publication number: 20210185398
    Abstract: Example methods and systems for displaying actionable elements over playing content, such as video content, are described. In some example embodiments, the methods and systems identify video content currently playing within a display environment provided by a playback device, and display an actionable element within the display environment provided by the playback device that is based on the identified video content and includes one or more user-selectable options to perform an action associated with the identified video content. Further, in some example embodiments, the methods and systems may perform an action (e.g., present supplemental content and/or information) in response to a selection of one or more of the user-selectable options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Markus K. Cremer, Wilson Harron
  • Publication number: 20210185399
    Abstract: Example methods and systems for displaying actionable elements over playing content, such as video content, are described. In some example embodiments, the methods and systems identify video content currently playing within a display environment provided by a playback device, and display an actionable element within the display environment provided by the playback device that is based on the identified video content and includes one or more user-selectable options to perform an action associated with the identified video content. Further, in some example embodiments, the methods and systems may perform an action (e.g., present supplemental content and/or information) in response to a selection of one or more of the user-selectable options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Markus K. Cremer, Wilson Harron
  • Publication number: 20210180956
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for dynamic content delivery based on vehicle navigational attributes. An example apparatus includes at least one memory, and at least one processor to execute instructions to at least determine an emotional state associated with a user in a vehicle based on data from one or more biometric sensors, the one or more biometric sensors to monitor the user, determine a relevancy score for respective ones of a plurality of sporting event data items based on the emotional state, and present a sporting event data item of the plurality of the sporting event data items to the user based on at least one of the emotional state or a relevancy score of the sporting event data item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Markus K. Cremer, Suresh Jeyachandran, Paul Emmanuel Quinn, Roger Tsai
  • Publication number: 20210184779
    Abstract: A computing system obtains a fingerprint of video content being rendered by a video presentation device, including a first portion representing a pre-established video segment and a second portion representing a dynamically-defined video segment. While obtaining the query fingerprint, the computing system (a) detects a match between the first portion of the query fingerprint and a reference fingerprint that represents the pre-established video segment, (b) based on the detecting of the match, identifies the video content being rendered, (c) after identifying the video content being rendered, applies a trained neural network to at least the second portion of the query fingerprint, and (d) detects, based on the applying of the neural network, that rendering of the identified video content continues. And responsive to at least the detecting that rendering of the identified video content continues, the computing system then takes associated action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Dewey Ho Lee, Shashank C. Merchant, Markus K. Cremer
  • Publication number: 20210174836
    Abstract: In an example implementation, a method is described. The implementation accesses a plurality of media clips including a first video clip and a second video clip, matches a first fingerprint of the first video clip with a second fingerprint of the second video clip. The implementation also matches a first event subject of the first video clip with a second event subject of the second video clip, and determines an overlap of the first video clip with the second video clip based at least in part on the match of the first fingerprint with the second fingerprint and the match of the first event subject with the second event subject. The implementation also merges the first video clip and the second video clip into a group of overlapping video clips based on the overlap, and synthesizes the group into a video presentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Dale T. Roberts, Randall E. Cook, Markus K. Cremer
  • Patent number: 11024301
    Abstract: Methods and systems for modification of electronic system operation based on acoustic ambience classification are presented. In an example method, at least one audio signal present in a physical environment of a user is detected. The at least one audio signal is analyzed to extract at least one audio feature from the audio signal. The audio signal is classified based on the audio feature to produce at least one classification of the audio signal. Operation of an electronic system interacting with the user in the physical environment is modified based on the classification of the audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: GRACENOTE, INC.
    Inventors: Suresh Jeyachandran, Vadim Brenner, Markus K. Cremer
  • Publication number: 20210149954
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for audio identification during a performance are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes at least one memory and at least one processor to transform a segment of audio into a log-frequency spectrogram based on a constant Q transform using a logarithmic frequency resolution, transform the log-frequency spectrogram into a binary image, each pixel of the binary image corresponding to a time frame and frequency channel pair, each frequency channel representing a corresponding quarter tone frequency channel in a range from C3-C8, generate a matrix product of the binary image and a plurality of reference fingerprints, normalize the matrix product to form a similarity matrix, select an alignment of a line in the similarity matrix that intersects one or more bins in the similarity matrix with the largest calculated Hamming similarities, and select a reference fingerprint based on the alignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Dale T. Roberts, Bob Coover, Nicola Marcantonio, Markus K. Cremer