Patents by Inventor Michael Sleator

Michael Sleator 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: 9230762
    Abstract: Disclosed is a memory device in which the state of the memory may be set by a mechanical action, with or without mains power present. The memory state may be detected by a microcontroller. The state for the memory device may be reset by a microcontroller. The microcontroller may be external to an apparatus containing the memory device, adjacent to or within the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Sleator
  • Patent number: 9065965
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are described which allows multimedia signals received from one or more content providers (e.g., cable television providers, Internet content providers, . . . etc) to be received, processed and retransmitted by an originating node to one or more receiving nodes over a local cable network (e.g., the coaxial cable network within a user's home). One impediment to communication between nodes within the local cable network is the fact that most cable splitters are designed to attenuate signals between the split legs of the splitter. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the invention, a reflector device coupled upstream of the root splitter in a local cable network (or in place of the root splitter) is configured to reflect signals transmitted from the originating node back up into the network to the receiving nodes. Signal attenuation is minimized because the signals propagate from the splitter inputs to the splitter legs (rather than between the splitter legs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Krein, Robert Spies, Toby Farrand, Steve Young, Michael Sleator
  • Publication number: 20150053016
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for transmitting a light towards a plurality of acousto-optic retro reflectors, arranged as an array, that are configured to physically react to an acoustic signal. The physical reaction modulates the transmitted light which is reflected back towards a light detector and analyzed. The analysis may include detecting an acoustic signal source location and/or reconstructing the acoustic signal. A light scanner may be configured to transmit the light towards the plurality of acousto-optic retro reflectors in a predetermined, continuance, or dynamically determined sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Sleator
  • Publication number: 20150025659
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed for implementations of a home automation network. A first input can be received from a first sensor on a home automation network and a second input can be received from a second sensor on the network. A condition can be determined based on both inputs that could not be determined from either input alone. Based on the determined condition, an action can be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Scott Bartlett, Michael Sleator
  • Publication number: 20140270801
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods, devices, and computer-implemented methods for transmitting a modulated signal transmitted from at least one signal light source and using the modulated signal for commissioning of network nodes. The method can include determining, by a network node, that the network node is not commissioned. The method can further include generating, by the network node, a random number, and generating a modulated light signal based on the random number. In addition, the method can include transmitting, to an image capture device, the modulated light signal, receiving, from a network control unit, via a radio channel, an encrypted commissioning message, and decrypting, by the network node, the encrypted commissioning message using the random number. Further, the method can include establishing, with the network control unit, communication based on data in the encrypted commissioning message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventor: Michael Sleator
  • Patent number: 8825934
    Abstract: Multiple devices may be simultaneously programmed using JTAG circuitry or a JTAG operation. The output of a master device's programming may be used to verify the programming of one or more slave devices. The comparison of the master device's programming output to a slave device's programming output may be handled by a logic circuit. The logic circuit may signal the result of the comparison by, for example, a LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sleator, Mark Adrian Stubbs
  • Publication number: 20140184365
    Abstract: Disclosed is a memory device in which the state of the memory may be set by a mechanical action, with or without mains power present. The memory state may be detected by a microcontroller. The state for the memory device may be reset by a microcontroller. The microcontroller may be external to an apparatus containing the memory device, adjacent to or within the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Sleator
  • Patent number: 8706934
    Abstract: Disclosed is a memory device in which the state of the memory may be set by a mechanical action, with or without mains power present. The memory state may be detected by a microcontroller. The state for the memory device may be reset by a microcontroller. The microcontroller may be external to an apparatus containing the memory device, adjacent to or within the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Sleator
  • Publication number: 20140108687
    Abstract: Multiple devices may be simultaneously programmed using JTAG circuitry or a JTAG operation. The output of a master device's programming may be used to verify the programming of one or more slave devices. The comparison of the master device's programming output to a slave device's programming output may be handled by a logic circuit. The logic circuit may signal the result of the comparison by, for example, a LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Sleator, Mark Adrian Stubbs
  • Patent number: 8675675
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed including: receiving a broadcast signal containing a set of multiplexed multimedia channels; storing said multiplexed multimedia channels in a temporary storage buffer on a mass storage device; determining a point in said temporary storage buffer to begin demultiplexing and decoding a first channel responsive to a user request to view a particular program on said first channel in its entirety, said point indicating the start of said program on said first channel; and demultiplexing and decoding said first channel of said set of multiplexed multimedia channels from said point within said temporary storage buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen G. Perlman, Michael Sleator
  • Publication number: 20140021026
    Abstract: Disclosed is a memory device in which the state of the memory may be set by a mechanical action, with or without mains power present. The memory state may be detected by a microcontroller. The state for the memory device may be reset by a microcontroller. The microcontroller may be external to an apparatus containing the memory device, adjacent to or within the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Sleator
  • Patent number: 8620163
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods, devices, and computer-implemented methods for receiving a modulated signal transmitted from at least one signal emitter. The method can include receiving at least one image that comprises image data representing the modulated signal received as radiation emitted from the at least one signal emitter, wherein the radiation represented in the image data comprises at least one period of the modulated signal and wherein the at least one image was captured by a camera of a computing device while a field of view of the camera was moving relative to the at least one signal emitter; analyzing, by at least one processor, the at least one image; extracting, based on the analyzing, the image data representing the radiation; and determining, from the image data that was extracted, the modulated signal transmitted by the at least one signal emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Google, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Sleator
  • Patent number: 8516176
    Abstract: Multiple devices may be simultaneously programmed using JTAG circuitry or a JTAG operation. The output of a master device's programming may be used to verify the programming of one or more slave devices. The comparison of the master device's programming output to a slave device's programming output may be handled by a logic circuit. The logic circuit may signal the result of the comparison by, for example, a LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sleator, Mark Adrian Stubbs
  • Publication number: 20120096494
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed including: receiving a broadcast signal containing a set of multiplexed multimedia channels; storing said multiplexed multimedia channels in a temporary storage buffer on a mass storage device; determining a point in said temporary storage buffer to begin demultiplexing and decoding a first channel responsive to a user request to view a particular program on said first channel in its entirety, said point indicating the start of said program on said first channel; and demultiplexing and decoding said first channel of said set of multiplexed multimedia channels from said point within said temporary storage buffer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: ARRIS Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen G. Perlman, Michael Sleator
  • Patent number: 8085804
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed including: receiving a broadcast signal containing a set of multiplexed multimedia channels; storing said multiplexed multimedia channels in a temporary storage buffer on a mass storage device; determining a point in said temporary storage buffer to begin demultiplexing and decoding a first channel responsive to a user request to view a particular program on said first channel in its entirety, said point indicating the start of said program on said first channel; and demultiplexing and decoding said first channel of said set of multiplexed multimedia channels from said point within said temporary storage buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: ARRIS Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen G. Perlman, Michael Sleator
  • Publication number: 20090235322
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are described which allows multimedia signals received from one or more content providers (e.g., cable television providers, Internet content providers, . . . etc) to be received, processed and retransmitted by an originating node to one or more receiving nodes over a local cable network (e.g., the coaxial cable network within a user's home). One impediment to communication between nodes within the local cable network is the fact that most cable splitters are designed to attenuate signals between the split legs of the splitter. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the invention, a reflector device coupled upstream of the root splitter in a local cable network (or in place of the root splitter) is configured to reflect signals transmitted from the originating node back up into the network to the receiving nodes. Signal attenuation is minimized because the signals propagate from the splitter inputs to the splitter legs (rather than between the splitter legs).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Vulcan Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Krein, Robert Spies, Toby Farrand, Steve Young, Michael Sleator
  • Patent number: 7533403
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are described which allows multimedia signals received from one or more content providers (e.g., cable television providers, Internet content providers, . . . etc) to be received, processed and retransmitted by an originating node to one or more receiving nodes over a local cable network (e.g., the coaxial cable network within a user's home). One impediment to communication between nodes within the local cable network is the fact that most cable splitters are designed to attenuate signals between the split legs of the splitter. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the invention, a reflector device coupled upstream of the root splitter in a local cable network (or in place of the root splitter) is configured to reflect signals transmitted from the originating node back up into the network to the receiving nodes. Signal attenuation is minimized because the signals propagate from the splitter inputs to the splitter legs (rather than between the splitter legs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Vulcan Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Krein, Robert Spies, Toby Farrand, Steve Young, Michael Sleator
  • Patent number: 7310355
    Abstract: A system is described comprising: a first node coupled to a second node by a communications network, the first node and second node communicating digital and/or analog signals over the communications network; the first node comprising a power output selector module to apply a specified voltage to the communications network to power one or more devices communicatively coupled to the communications network; and the second node using the voltage to provide power to one or more electrical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Digeo, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Krein, Robert Spies, Toby Farrand, Steve Young, Michael Sleator
  • Publication number: 20070147406
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed including: receiving a broadcast signal containing a set of multiplexed multimedia channels; storing said multiplexed multimedia channels in a temporary storage buffer on a mass storage device; determining a point in said temporary storage buffer to begin demultiplexing and decoding a first channel responsive to a user request to view a particular program on said first channel in its entirety, said point indicating the start of said program on said first channel; and demultiplexing and decoding said first channel of said set of multiplexed multimedia channels from said point within said temporary storage buffer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Applicant: DIGEO, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Perlman, Michael Sleator
  • Publication number: 20020116705
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed comprising: storing a first encrypted multimedia stream on a storage device as the stream is broadcast by a content provider; storing a stream of conditional access data on the storage device, the stream of conditional access data associated with the multimedia stream; and decrypting the first encrypted multimedia stream from a specified point within the encrypted multimedia stream using the stream of conditional access data, responsive to a user request to play back the encrypted multimedia stream from the specified point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Stephen G. Perlman, Michael Sleator