Patents by Inventor Michael R. Nichols

Michael R. Nichols 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: 9852441
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for selecting media assets based on a scent detected at a location of a user device. For example, a media guidance application implemented on a user device may incorporate or have access to a scent detection component, which may determine one or more scents at the location of the user device. The media guidance application may then select a media asset that corresponds to the determined one or more scents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Ford, Daniel Thomas Ward, Paul Jensen, Michael R. Nichols
  • Patent number: 9800935
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that provides content recommendations based on recent activity. For example, the media guidance application determines that the user has stopped using the first device and is using the second device. In response, the media guidance application retrieves, from memory, a length of time that the user has consumed media on the first device. The media guidance application then determines the time interval when the user was consuming media on the first device. Next, media content is determined that the user consumed on the first device during the time interval. The media guidance application then determines a characteristic of the consumed media content and recommends media content on a second device based on the characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Danielle Larson, Michael R. Nichols
  • Patent number: 9781479
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for a media guidance application that provides recommendations to a user viewing a media asset. For example, the media guidance application may provide a recommendation of a media asset based on a user's profile and may modify the user's profile based on the user's actions and keywords in the content of the media asset. For example, the media guidance application may determine whether the media asset is of interest to a user and in response may update the user's profile based on keywords in the media asset. If the media guidance application determines that the media asset is of interest to the user, it may add keywords in the content of the media asset to the user's profile and increase their corresponding weights. Otherwise, the media guidance application may decrease the weights in the user's profile corresponding to keywords in the media asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter R. Klappert, Dustin Shaw, Michael R. Nichols, Christy Garcia, Tricia Nelson, Derek Martin
  • Patent number: 9778736
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for a media guidance application that improves the customization and calibration of user devices to a particular user. For example, in response to erroneously detecting (or failing to detect) a user input of a first type, the media guidance application may re-calibrate the user device based on subsequent corrective inputs issued using a second input type such that future user inputs of the first type will not be erroneously detected (or fail to be detected).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Camron Shimy, Michael R. Nichols
  • Patent number: 9775014
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for expanding the functionality of a print scanner. The scanner may be programmed to invoke a different function if only a portion of a print is detected rather than a full print. In this manner, it would be possible for a user to share a user equipment device such as a smartphone with a friend. The user may wish to share his or her smartphone, and may activate access to the browser that does not include any of the cookies, private passwords, or other login information during a session by using just the tip of the user's finger on a fingerprint scanner, as opposed to the user's full fingerprint. When the user wishes to again have his or her personal information accessible in the browser, the user may activate the browser using the user's full fingerprint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter R. Klappert, Minah Oh, Michael R. Nichols
  • Patent number: 9762945
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for recommending a display device for media consumption. The location and media content preference of the user is determined and used to recommend the location of a display device that is currently displaying content relevant to the user. For example, if a user walks into a restaurant and indicates that he wishes to watch one of the televisions, he is directed to a television at the far side of the room which is already playing the sports (e.g., basketball) game with his favorite team. This helps ensure that users are able to find and consume content that is meaningful to them in public spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter R. Klappert, Michael R. Nichols, Sean William Rosqvist
  • Publication number: 20170251259
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for a media guidance application that provides recommendations to a user viewing a media asset. For example, the media guidance application may provide a recommendation of a media asset based on a user's profile and may modify the user's profile based on the user's actions and keywords in the content of the media asset. For example, the media guidance application may determine whether the media asset is of interest to a user and in response may update the user's profile based on keywords in the media asset. If the media guidance application determines that the media asset is of interest to the user, it may add keywords in the content of the media asset to the user's profile and increase their corresponding weights. Otherwise, the media guidance application may decrease the weights in the user's profile corresponding to keywords in the media asset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Walter R. Klappert, Dustin Shaw, Michael R. Nichols, Christy Garcia, Tricia Nelson, Derek Martin
  • Patent number: 9729927
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating shadows for a media guidance application are provided. A display of a media asset is generated that includes a media object with a shadow at an object shadow position. Object shadow information is stored corresponding to the shadow of the object and the object shadow position. In response to receiving a user request to access a media guidance application, a media guidance application display corresponding to the user request is selected. A guide shadow is generated based on the stored object shadow information and the media guidance application display. The guide shadow is combined with the media guidance application display for display to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Nichols
  • Patent number: 9723256
    Abstract: Systems and methods for re-recording content associated with popularity that re-emerged are provided. A plurality of media assets is recorded. Responsive to determining that popularity of a given one of the plurality of media assets fell below a first threshold, the given media asset is selected for deletion and the given media asset is added to a list of a plurality of media assets that have been selected for deletion. Popularity for the given media asset in the list is retrieved after selecting the given media asset for deletion. The retrieved popularity of the given media asset, which previously fell below the first threshold, is compared to a second threshold. In response to determining that the retrieved popularity of the given media asset, which previously fell below the first threshold, is now above the second threshold, an action relating to re-recording the given media asset is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Young A. Tang, William L. Thomas, Michael R. Nichols
  • Patent number: 9688115
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for a guidance application capable of coordinating the interior features of a vehicle (e.g., the heating/cooling system, automatic windows, automatic seats, automatic sunroof, seat heaters, etc.) to produce the current environmental conditions (e.g., sunshine, heat, wind, etc.) displayed in a media asset being accessed in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter R. Klappert, Michael R. Nichols, Satinderpal S. Sikh
  • Publication number: 20170134793
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a media guidance application that may enhance viewer experience. The media guidance application may receive video assets from content capture devices at different locations, determine characteristics of the media assets and assign content tags, corresponding to the characteristics, to the media assets. The media guidance application may receive a video-feed request from another location and determine video feed criterion associated with the request. The media guidance application may use a database to determine media assets with characteristics matching the video feed criterion, and may generate for display the media assets in a video feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Reda Harb, Michael R. Nichols, Walter R. Klappert
  • Patent number: 9591359
    Abstract: Control circuitry may identify an image corresponding to a media asset, where the image comprises a plurality of portions, and where each portion of the plurality of portions comprises a respective entity. The image identified by control circuitry may include several portions, where each portion includes a respective entity. Control circuitry may determine an identity of each respective entity in each respective portion of the plurality of portions. Control circuitry may then access a database to determine a level of prevalence of each identity in the media asset. Based on these identifications, control circuitry may determine which respective entity corresponds to a highest level of prevalence (e.g., with respect to the other entities), and may generate for display a respective portion comprising the respective entity that corresponds to the highest level of prevalence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ROVI GUIDES, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Peter Blohowiak, Walter R. Klappert, Michael R. Nichols, Olivier Chalouhi
  • Publication number: 20170032792
    Abstract: In some embodiments, control circuitry may detect a voice communication from a human using voice detection circuitry during playback of a media asset being consumed by the user. Control circuitry may then identify an accent characteristic of the voice communication. Control circuitry may cross-reference the accent characteristic against listings of an accent database and then determine, based on the cross-referencing of the accent characteristic a country of origin of the human. Control circuitry may detect, using imaging circuitry, a gesture made by the human. Control circuitry may then cross-reference the gesture against listings of a gesture database associated with the country of origin and then determine based on the cross-referencing of the gesture, a meaning of the gesture in relation to the media asset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Alejandro S. Pulido, Michael R. Nichols
  • Patent number: 9544656
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for selecting a closed captioning language track. Control circuitry may capture an image or video of a user while the user is performing a gesture of a sign language. The control circuitry may access a database comprising a plurality of entries corresponding to a plurality of gestures in respective sign languages. The control circuitry may compare a first pixel map corresponding to the image or video of the user with pixel maps corresponding to each of the plurality of entries in order to identify a preferred sign language. The control circuitry may receive metadata associated with a media asset comprising a plurality of closed captioning language tracks, each closed captioning language track comprising closed captioning for the media asset in a different language and select one of the closed captioning language tracks that corresponds to the preferred sign language.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20160378307
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for personalizing images that correspond to a media asset identifier by using user profile information. As an example, the television series “Community” has several actors, such as Joel McHale, Chevy Chase, and Ken Jeong. Poster art developed by an editor o50533238_1f “Community” may include an image that portrays each of Joel McHale, Chevy Chase, and Ken Jeong. In order to personalize the image, control circuitry may determine which actor(s) the user prefers, and crop out only those actors in the poster art to create a personalized image. As an example, if the user prefers Joel McHale, control circuitry may crop out the portrayal of Joel McHale and use only that portion of the image to display next to other text describing “Community.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Aaron Peter Blohowiak, Walter R. Klappert, Michael R. Nichols, Olivier Chalouhi
  • Publication number: 20160378308
    Abstract: Control circuitry may identify a plurality of images corresponding to a media asset, where each image of the plurality of images comprises at least one portion, and where each portion comprises a respective entity. Control circuitry may determine an identity of each respective entity. Control circuitry may access a user profile from a database. Control circuitry may cross-reference metadata of the user profile with each identity of each respective entity to determine a preferred entity. Control circuitry may then determine an image of the plurality of images where the preferred entity is more prevalent, and may generate for display that image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Aaron Peter Blohowiak, Walter R. Klappert, Michael R. Nichols, Olivier Chalouhi
  • Publication number: 20160381420
    Abstract: Control circuitry may identify an image corresponding to a media asset, where the image comprises a plurality of portions, and where each portion of the plurality of portions comprises a respective entity. The image identified by control circuitry may include several portions, where each portion includes a respective entity. Control circuitry may determine an identity of each respective entity in each respective portion of the plurality of portions. Control circuitry may then access a database to determine a level of prevalence of each identity in the media asset. Based on these identifications, control circuitry may determine which respective entity corresponds to a highest level of prevalence (e.g., with respect to the other entities), and may generate for display a respective portion comprising the respective entity that corresponds to the highest level of prevalence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Aaron Peter Blohowiak, Walter R. Klappert, Michael R. Nichols, Olivier Chalouhi
  • Publication number: 20160366462
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application configured to generate for display an icon that provides feedback to a user related to the current brain activity of the user. For example, a media guidance application may monitor the brain activity of the user in order to determine whether or not to perform a particular operation. The media guidance application may further generate a display of icons that inform the user of the current brain activity of the user and/or the progress of the user towards achieving a particular operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Walter R. Klappert, Michael R. Nichols, Camron Shimy, William Wagner, Yinghsueh Chen, Paul Stathacopoulos
  • Patent number: 9510047
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically performing a media action based on the status of external components are provided. A media asset is determined to be presented on a user equipment device. Components external to the user equipment device are monitored to obtain status information pertaining to the components. A determination is made as to whether a media action is associated with the status information. The identified media action is performed for the media asset in response to determining that the media asset is associated with the status information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: China Arai, Michael R. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20160345044
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for recommending a display device for media consumption. The location and media content preference of the user is determined and used to recommend the location of a display device that is currently displaying content relevant to the user. For example, if a user walks into a restaurant and indicates that he wishes to watch one of the televisions, he is directed to a television at the far side of the room which is already playing the sports (e.g., basketball) game with his favorite team. This helps ensure that users are able to find and consume content that is meaningful to them in public spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Walter R. Klappert, Michael R. Nichols, Sean William Rosqvist