Patents by Inventor Robert James Victor
Robert James Victor 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: 11758210Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for demographic matching and content selection for unidentified audiences. A method may include receiving, by a first device of a first device type, a request to present first content to a user of a first audience using a second device; determining a time at which the first content is to be presented to the first audience using the second device; identifying a second audience to which the second content is to be presented using devices of the first device type during a time period that includes the time; determining a probability that the user belongs to an audience group that includes users of the second audience based on the second content, the time period, and a second device type of the second device; and causing selection of the first content or third content for presentation to the first audience.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Cristobal Garib Herrera, Junichi Suzuki, Robert James Victor, Benjamin Erik Johnson, Xinyu Chen
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Patent number: 11758225Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for managing advertisement exposure. The method may include receiving, by a first device, from a second device, an audio fingerprint based on presentation of first media content using a first media channel at a first time; determining, using automatic content recognition, that the audio fingerprint represents a portion of a first advertisement; determining that the first advertisement was presented at a second time using a second media channel and the second device; determining that a first number of times that the first advertisement has been presented to the user exceeds a first threshold number and that a second number of times that the first advertisement has been presented to the user does not exceed a second threshold number; refraining from selecting the first advertisement at a third time; and selecting the first advertisement for presentation at a fourth time.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert James Victor, Amit Gupta, Kirtan Modi
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Patent number: 11719504Abstract: Apparatus and methods of toy projectile storage, feeding and launch structures having feeding and launching functionality in a single motor combination with a carriage structure including a launch channel being supporting along with a magazine. A propelling mechanism is includes flywheels in communication with the launch channel for propelling projectiles from the magazine. A transmission gear assembly powered with the single motor to sequence and activate the feeding mechanism and the propelling mechanism for activation. Additionally stationary, mobile, dart and projectiles launcher or hand-held structures for propelling darts, balls or other projectiles. The flywheels include an elastomeric expanding flywheel structure mechanism with a flywheel hub and an expanding elastomeric tire allowing the expanding elastomeric tire to move inward and outward along a peripheral circumference.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: HASBRO, INC.Inventors: Vladislav Kopman, Robert James Victor
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Publication number: 20230239524Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for on-target rate optimization for video.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2022Publication date: July 27, 2023Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Xinyu Zhou, Qie Hu Huang, Shuang Li, Ying Zhang, Yongzhen Lu, Vamshi Krishna Surabhi, Vykunth Ashok, Robert James Victor, Kirtan Modi
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Patent number: 11706470Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for on-target rate optimization for video.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2022Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Xinyu Zhou, Qie Hu Huang, Shuang Li, Ying Zhang, Yongzhen Lu, Vamshi Krishna Surabhi, Vykunth Ashok, Robert James Victor, Kirtan Modi
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Patent number: 11671640Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for audience recognition. A method may include receiving over-the-top (OTT) advertisement impression data comprising metadata and content of advertisement bid requests, the metadata indicative of scheduled OTT media presentation; receiving user activity data indicative of day-part times when viewers watch content absent from the OTT advertisement impression data; generating, based on the OTT advertisement impression data, a first demographic probability vector; generating, based on the user activity data, a second demographic probability vector; generating, based on a combination of the first demographic probability vector and the second demographic probability vector, a third demographic probability vector, each entry of the third demographic probability vector indicative of a third probability that a viewer is in a respective age range; and generating an indication of the third demographic probability vector.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kirtan Modi, Robert James Victor, Vykunth Ashok, Xinyu Zhou, Qie Hu Huang, Shuang Li
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Patent number: 11346631Abstract: A toy launch apparatus which includes single motor synchronized quick start/advanced start flywheel apparatus employing a drive mechanism for advancing rotation of projectile-propelling flywheels and driving a projectile-feeding advance mechanism for automatic and sequenced projectile-launching operation, with movement of the pusher mechanism to rapidly fire darts from the toy apparatus. The system apparatus and methods employing the single-motor-driven mechanism facilitate advanced starting projectile-propelling flywheels and driving a projectile-feeding mechanism in a novel fashion for automatic and sequenced projectile-launching operation with reduced mechanism mass and cost.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.Inventors: Vladislav Kopman, Christopher David Miller, Robert James Victor
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Patent number: 11287210Abstract: An inexpensive toy projectile launch apparatus incorporating pivotally connected housings which may be quickly and easily assembled. The hand held toy projectile launchers include a flexible plastic launch spring having engaging portions mounted within the housings to enable an operator to move the housings in relation to one another using one hand, with an end portion of the launch spring for engaging and launching a projectile. Each component includes a number of structures such that assembly is simple, but the structure is both robust and inexpensive. The apparatus may launch soft foam darts or soft foam spheres and each launch apparatus includes an elongated strip-like plastic launch spring that bends when primed so as to provide energy for launch.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Inventors: Timothy Booher, Robert James Victor
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Patent number: 10876809Abstract: A toy launch apparatus which includes single motor synchronized quick start/advanced start flywheel apparatus employing a drive mechanism for advancing rotation of projectile-propelling flywheels and driving a projectile-feeding advance mechanism for automatic and sequenced projectile-launching operation, with movement of the pusher mechanism to rapidly fire darts from the toy apparatus. The system apparatus and methods employing the single-motor-driven mechanism facilitate advanced starting projectile-propelling flywheels and driving a projectile-feeding mechanism in a novel fashion for automatic and sequenced projectile-launching operation with reduced mechanism mass and cost.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.Inventors: Vladislav Kopman, Christopher David Miller, Robert James Victor
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Patent number: 10648765Abstract: A large capacity magazine apparatus for spherical projectiles, such as toy foam balls that may be used in conjunction with a launcher. The magazine includes drum and clip housings and a rotatable sprocket with longitudinal flutes that together form a smooth pathway for the foam balls to travel in the magazine and to alleviate jams. The smooth pathway includes a helical path, a transition path and a linear path within the housings. A constant force spring provides a rotational force for the sprocket and a plurality of articulated rigid balls function to push the foam balls out of the magazine and into a firing chamber of the launcher.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: HASBRO, INC.Inventors: Christopher Miller, Robert James Victor, William J Bryant, David Michael Nugent
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Patent number: 10488143Abstract: Apparatus and methods employing projectile feeding magazine storage and rapid fire toy launch apparatus in combination with dart funnel for feeding darts, anti-jamming loading and launching mechanisms, receiving a series of dart projectiles for rapid magazine loading and firing without mis-fed darts jamming up either the dart magazine or launcher. A magazine loading mechanism is positioned intermediate the funnel and the inserted magazine for receiving darts, and a stuffer mechanism above the inserted magazine penetrates the dart retaining lips of the magazine to stuff darts for loading into the magazine. The dart launching mechanism is positioned in the housing forward the inserted magazine.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2018Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.Inventors: Robert James Victor, Christopher David Miller, Angela Yuan, John Michael Falkowski, II, John Paul Lallier, Daniel King
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Publication number: 20190204041Abstract: A large capacity magazine apparatus for spherical projectiles, such as toy foam balls that may be used in conjunction with a launcher. The magazine includes drum and clip housings and a rotatable sprocket with longitudinal flutes that together form a smooth pathway for the foam balls to travel in the magazine and to alleviate jams. The smooth pathway includes a helical path, a transition path and a linear path within the housings. A constant force spring provides a rotational force for the sprocket and a plurality of articulated rigid balls function to push the foam balls out of the magazine and into a firing chamber of the launcher.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2018Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Christopher Miller, Robert James Victor, William J. Bryant, David Michael Nugent
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Publication number: 20190063865Abstract: Apparatus and methods employing projectile feeding magazine storage and rapid fire toy launch apparatus in combination with dart funnel for feeding darts, anti-jamming loading and launching mechanisms, receiving a series of dart projectiles for rapid magazine loading and firing without mis-fed darts jamming up either the dart magazine or launcher. A magazine loading mechanism is positioned intermediate the funnel and the inserted magazine for receiving darts, and a stuffer mechanism above the inserted magazine penetrates the dart retaining lips of the magazine to stuff darts for loading into the magazine. The dart launching mechanism is positioned in the housing forward the inserted magazine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Robert James Victor, Christopher David Miller, Angela Yuan, John Michael Falkowski, II, John Paul Lallier, Daniel King
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Patent number: 9562739Abstract: A toy launch apparatus for discharging soft foam darts, the launch apparatus having a cylinder, a piston, a launch spring and a dart tube. An air chamber with variable volume is formed between the cylinder and the piston and is divided into two or more sections, a first section where there is little or no resistance to relative movement between the cylinder and the piston so that there is a momentum gain, and a second section where there is rapid compression and increasing pressure to cause a loaded dart to be discharged.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2015Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.Inventors: Mark Busse, David Nugent, Robert James Victor
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Patent number: 9345978Abstract: A toy figure assembly including a footing assembly in combination with a dual action actuator employing first and second working surfaces accessible through underside openings of the footing assembly for driving action movements of the toy figure by both a user's fingers and a piston driven controller secured to the footing. Further alternative embodiments with various alternative mechanism appendage couplings with the torso assembly through the footing gears, bracket or channel elements facilitate driven for movements in relation to the torso assembly moved relative to the footing assembly. Battling action game play may be expanded with the controller to battle virtual robots, allowing users to play various interactive computer based games.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.Inventors: Robert James Victor, James August Baker, Matthew Devin Brown, James Austin Rucker, William J Bryant
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Patent number: 9194646Abstract: A toy launch apparatus for projectiles having a soft exterior and an open bottom with a bordering strong inner wall. The projectile's open bottom is positioned atop a slot, with respect to a launch deck and a carriage in a housing assembly. A cocking assembly includes a pivotal launch arm and a launch spring connected to the carriage movable with an engaged slide, a slide link and carriage lock, which are cocked when a user pulls the slide rearward. At a first rearward position of the slide the carrier is restrained in a cocked configuration. On the way to a second rearward position of the slide, the slide, slide link and carriage lock disengage from the carriage, launch arm and launch spring. When the carriage and launch arm are triggered, the launch spring releases and the launch arm impacts the inner wall of the projectile for discharge.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2013Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.Inventors: Robert James Victor, Brian Jablonski
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Publication number: 20150330737Abstract: A toy launch apparatus for discharging soft foam darts, the launch apparatus having a cylinder, a piston, a launch spring and a dart tube. An air chamber with variable volume is formed between the cylinder and the piston and is divided into two or more sections, a first section where there is little or no resistance to relative movement between the cylinder and the piston so that there is a momentum gain, and a second section where there is rapid compression and increasing pressure to cause a loaded dart to be discharged.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2015Publication date: November 19, 2015Inventors: Mark Busse, David Nugent, Robert James Victor
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Patent number: 9134091Abstract: A toy launch apparatus for discharging soft foam darts, the launch apparatus having a cylinder, a piston, a launch spring and a dart tube. An air chamber with variable volume is formed between the cylinder and the piston and is divided into two or more sections, a first section where there is little or no resistance to relative movement between the cylinder and the piston so that there is a momentum gain, and a second section where there is rapid compression and increasing pressure to cause a loaded dart to be discharged. A third section may be a transition section between the first and second sections.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2013Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.Inventors: Mark Busse, David Nugent, Robert James Victor
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Patent number: 8967130Abstract: A toy launcher apparatus for discharging circular projectiles, the apparatus having a housing, lower and upper panels mounted to the housing, supports mounted to the housing, a cocking slide and a slide spring connected to the supports, a projectile receptacle connected to the cocking slide, release levers mounted to the housing, a guide wall mounted to the lower panel, a positioning wheel also mounted to the lower panel, and a trigger mounted to the housing. The lower panel includes a slot positioned parallel to the guide wall but off center relative to a center point of a load projectile. Beneath the lower panel is a rotatable launch arm connected to a torsion spring and a catch structure. The upper and lower panels are parallel to one another and spaced to receive a projectile. The projectile is loaded into the projectile receptacle when the receptacle is exposed during the time the launch arm and torsion spring are cocked by a user pulling rearward on the cocking slide.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2010Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.Inventors: Robert James Victor, Brian Jablonski
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Patent number: 8820305Abstract: Several variations of a toy projectile launcher apparatus for discharging EVA balls. The apparatus includes a housing, a barrel portion, a grip portion, a trigger, a ram movable in the housing, a carriage also movable in the housing, a negator spring, handles for cocking the apparatus, and a lever pivotally mounted to a shaft in the housing just behind a ball to be discharged. In operation, a user pulls a handle rearward to move the ram and carriage and extend the spring. Pulling the trigger disengages the ram to impact the lever causing the lever to slap the ball to cause discharge of the ball. The lever and the shaft may be moved from side to side to cause the ball to be discharged straight ahead or curved to the left or right.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2012Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.Inventors: Robert James Victor, Meredith Brooks