Patents by Inventor Robert Vallone

Robert Vallone 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: 10587925
    Abstract: A television viewer interface system provides a viewer interface that allows the viewer to access different functions of a system. A highlight bar is responsive to the user's commands and is used to indicate the current menu item that can be selected by the user. Information is presented in a successive disclosure format where the user navigates through menus by moving the highlight bar to the right to obtain more information or to the left to see less information and return to the previous location. The background colors of each set of menus remains consistent throughout the user's experience such that the user intuitively knows what menu area he is in through the color cues. The invention provides indicators that tell the user that more information is available in a particular direction for a menu item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Look, Robert Vallone, David Avraham Brown, Karen Bedard, Wijnand Van Stam, Ain McKendrick
  • Publication number: 20190057720
    Abstract: An automatic playback overshoot correction system predicts the position in the program material where the user expects to be when the user stops the fast forward progression of the program material. The system determines the position where the program material was stopped and transitions to the new mode that the user selected, starting at the stopped position with an overshoot correction factor subtracted from it. The system uses a prediction method to correctly place the user within the program upon transition out of fast forward mode and determines if the speed of the fast forward mode and then automatically subtracts a time multiple to the frame where the transition was detected and positions the user at the correct frame. The time multiple is fine tuned if the user is consistently correcting after the fast forward mode stops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Wijnand Van Stam, Robert Vallone
  • Patent number: 10181338
    Abstract: A multimedia visual progress indication system that provides a cache bar that is overlaid onto the program material or displayed on a dedicated display. A cache bar indicates the length of a recording session or the length of stored program material and expands to the right when material is being recorded. Index and/or bookmark indicators are displayed next to the cache bar. A position indicator moves within the cache bar and tells the user visually where his current position is within the program material. Numeric time or counter mark of the current position is displayed in the vicinity of the cache bar. The trick play bar and its associated components are displayed for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Vallone, Howard Look, Ain McKendrick
  • Patent number: 10062408
    Abstract: An automatic playback overshoot correction system predicts the position in the program material where the user expects to be when the user stops the fast forward progression of the program material. The system determines the position where the program material was stopped and transitions to the new mode that the user selected, starting at the stopped position with an overshoot correction factor subtracted from it. The system uses a prediction method to correctly place the user within the program upon transition out of fast forward mode and determines if the speed of the fast forward mode and then automatically subtracts a time multiple to the frame where the transition was detected and positions the user at the correct frame. The time multiple is fine tuned if the user is consistently correcting after the fast forward mode stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: TIVO SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Wijnand Van Stam, Robert Vallone
  • Publication number: 20180190326
    Abstract: A multimedia visual progress indication system that provides a cache bar that is overlaid onto the program material or displayed on a dedicated display. A cache bar indicates the length of a recording session or the length of stored program material and expands to the right when material is being recorded. Index and/or bookmark indicators are displayed next to the cache bar. A position indicator moves within the cache bar and tells the user visually where his current position is within the program material. Numeric time or counter mark of the current position is displayed in the vicinity of the cache bar. The trick play bar and its associated components are displayed for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Vallone, Howard Look, Ain McKendrick
  • Publication number: 20180019001
    Abstract: An automatic playback overshoot correction system predicts the position in the program material where the user expects to be when the user stops the fast forward progression of the program material. The system determines the position where the program material was stopped and transitions to the new mode that the user selected, starting at the stopped position with an overshoot correction factor subtracted from it. The system uses a prediction method to correctly place the user within the program upon transition out of fast forward mode and determines if the speed of the fast forward mode and then automatically subtracts a time multiple to the frame where the transition was detected and positions the user at the correct frame. The time multiple is fine tuned if the user is consistently correcting after the fast forward mode stops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Wijnand Van Stam, Robert Vallone
  • Patent number: 9812174
    Abstract: A multimedia visual progress indication system that provides a cache bar that is overlaid onto the program material or displayed on a dedicated display. A cache bar indicates the length of a recording session or the length of stored program material and expands to the right when material is being recorded. Index and/or bookmark indicators are displayed next to the cache bar. A position indicator moves within the cache bar and tells the user visually where his current position is within the program material. Numeric time or counter mark of the current position is displayed in the vicinity of the cache bar. The trick play bar and its associated components are displayed for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Vallone, Howard Look, Ain McKendrick
  • Patent number: 9786322
    Abstract: An automatic playback overshoot correction system predicts the position in the program material where the user expects to be when the user stops the fast forward progression of the program material. The system determines the position where the program material was stopped and transitions to the new mode that the user selected, starting at the stopped position with an overshoot correction factor subtracted from it. The system uses a prediction method to correctly place the user within the program upon transition out of fast forward mode and determines if the speed of the fast forward mode and then automatically subtracts a time multiple to the frame where the transition was detected and positions the user at the correct frame. The time multiple is fine tuned if the user is consistently correcting after the fast forward mode stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Wijnand Van Stam, Robert Vallone
  • Publication number: 20170251266
    Abstract: A television viewer interface system provides a viewer interface that allows the viewer to access different functions of a system. A highlight bar is responsive to the user's commands and is used to indicate the current menu item that can be selected by the user. Information is presented in a successive disclosure format where the user navigates through menus by moving the highlight bar to the right to obtain more information or to the left to see less information and return to the previous location. The background colors of each set of menus remains consistent throughout the user's experience such that the user intuitively knows what menu area he is in through the color cues. The invention provides indicators that tell the user that more information is available in a particular direction for a menu item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Howard Look, Robert Vallone, David Avraham Brown, Karen Bedard, Wijnand Van Stam, Ain McKendrick
  • Patent number: 9686591
    Abstract: A television viewer interface system provides a viewer interface that allows the viewer to access different functions of a system. A highlight bar is responsive to the user's commands and is used to indicate the current menu item that can be selected by the user. Information is presented in a successive disclosure format where the user navigates through menus by moving the highlight bar to the right to obtain more information or to the left to see less information and return to the previous location. The background colors of each set of menus remains consistent throughout the user's experience such that the user intuitively knows what menu area he is in through the color cues. The invention provides indicators that tell the user that more information is available in a particular direction for a menu item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Look, Robert Vallone, David Avraham Brown, Karen Bedard, Wijnand Van Stam, Ain McKendrick
  • Publication number: 20160314816
    Abstract: An automatic playback overshoot correction system predicts the position in the program material where the user expects to be when the user stops the fast forward progression of the program material. The system determines the position where the program material was stopped and transitions to the new mode that the user selected, starting at the stopped position with an overshoot correction factor subtracted from it. The system uses a prediction method to correctly place the user within the program upon transition out of fast forward mode and determines if the speed of the fast forward mode and then automatically subtracts a time multiple to the frame where the transition was detected and positions the user at the correct frame. The time multiple is fine tuned if the user is consistently correcting after the fast forward mode stops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Wijnand Van Stam, Robert Vallone
  • Patent number: 9386336
    Abstract: An automatic playback overshoot correction system predicts the position in the program material where the user expects to be when the user stops the fast forward progression of the program material. The system determines the position where the program material was stopped and transitions to the new mode that the user selected, starting at the stopped position with an overshoot correction factor subtracted from it. The system uses a prediction method to correctly place the user within the program upon transition out of fast forward mode and determines if the speed of the fast forward mode and then automatically subtracts a time multiple to the frame where the transition was detected and positions the user at the correct frame. The time multiple is fine tuned if the user is consistently correcting after the fast forward mode stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Wijnand Van Stam, Robert Vallone
  • Publication number: 20160155479
    Abstract: A multimedia visual progress indication system that provides a cache bar that is overlaid onto the program material or displayed on a dedicated display. A cache bar indicates the length of a recording session or the length of stored program material and expands to the right when material is being recorded. Index and/or bookmark indicators are displayed next to the cache bar. A position indicator moves within the cache bar and tells the user visually where his current position is within the program material. Numeric time or counter mark of the current position is displayed in the vicinity of the cache bar. The trick play bar and its associated components are displayed for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Vallone, Howard Look, Ain McKendrick
  • Patent number: 9274690
    Abstract: A multimedia visual progress indication system that provides a cache bar that is overlaid onto the program material or displayed on a dedicated display. A cache bar indicates the length of a recording session or the length of stored program material and expands to the right when material is being recorded. Index and/or bookmark indicators are displayed next to the cache bar. A position indicator moves within the cache bar and tells the user visually where his current position is within the program material. Numeric time or counter mark of the current position is displayed in the vicinity of the cache bar. The trick play bar and its associated components are displayed for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Vallone, Howard Look, Ain McKendrick
  • Patent number: 9113218
    Abstract: A television viewer interface system provides a viewer interface that allows the viewer to access different functions of a system. A highlight bar is responsive to the user's commands and is used to indicate the current menu item that can be selected by the user. Information is presented in a successive disclosure format where the user navigates through menus by moving the highlight bar to the right to obtain more information or to the left to see less information and return to the previous location. The background colors of each set of menus remains consistent throughout the user's experience such that the user intuitively knows what menu area he is in through the color cues. The invention provides indicators that tell the user that more information is available in a particular direction for a menu item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Look, Robert Vallone, David Avraham Brown, Karen Bedard, Wijnand Van Stam, Ain McKendrick
  • Patent number: 9113219
    Abstract: A television viewer interface system provides a viewer interface that allows the viewer to access different functions of a system. A highlight bar is responsive to the user's commands and is used to indicate the current menu item that can be selected by the user. Information is presented in a successive disclosure format where the user navigates through menus by moving the highlight bar to the right to obtain more information or to the left to see less information and return to the previous location. The background colors of each set of menus remains consistent throughout the user's experience such that the user intuitively knows what menu area he is in through the color cues. The invention provides indicators that tell the user that more information is available in a particular direction for a menu item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Look, Robert Vallone, David Avraham Brown, Karen Bedard, Wijnand Van Stam, Ain McKendrick
  • Patent number: 8989564
    Abstract: A position indicator is displayed in a vicinity of a visual indicator to a user the visual indicator visually indicates an available amount of program material through which the user is able to navigate and play back. The position indicator visually indicates a current playback position within the available amount of program material. In response to receiving a single user command, the position indicator is placed in a new current playback position over the visual indicator. The new current playback position visually represents an end position of the visual indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Vallone, Howard Look, Ain McKendrick
  • Publication number: 20140115475
    Abstract: A multimedia visual progress indication system that provides a cache bar that is overlaid onto the program material or displayed on a dedicated display. A cache bar indicates the length of a recording session or the length of stored program material and expands to the right when material is being recorded. Index and/or bookmark indicators are displayed next to the cache bar. A position indicator moves within the cache bar and tells the user visually where his current position is within the program material. Numeric time or counter mark of the current position is displayed in the vicinity of the cache bar. The trick play bar and its associated components are displayed for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Vallone, Howard Look, Ain McKendrick
  • Patent number: 8676035
    Abstract: A multimedia visual progress indication system that provides a cache bar that is overlaid onto the program material or displayed on a dedicated display. A cache bar indicates the length of a recording session or the length of stored program material and expands to the right when material is being recorded. Index and/or bookmark indicators are displayed next to the cache bar. A position indicator moves within the cache bar and tells the user visually where his current position is within the program material. Numeric time or counter mark of the current position is displayed in the vicinity of the cache bar. The trick play bar and its associated components are displayed for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Vallone, Howard Look, Ain McKendrick
  • Patent number: 8516520
    Abstract: A television viewer interface system provides a viewer interface that allows the viewer to access different functions of a system. Information is presented in a successive disclosure format where the user navigates through menus by moving the highlight bar to the right to obtain more information or to the left to see less information and return to the previous location. A banner is displayed in the upper region of the screen and the user can rotate through three different levels of banners, each successively containing more information about the program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Look, Robert Vallone, David Avraham Brown, Karen Bedard, Wijnand Van Stam, Ain McKendrick