Patents by Inventor Simon D. Byers

Simon D. Byers 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: 20160078043
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media process a series of media files into a searchable format. The method includes generating a media database by processing each of a plurality of programs. The steps of the method include extracting a subtitle track from each of the programs, retrieving at least one frame associated with the subtitle track, adding metadata to the extracted subtitle track and at least one frame, processing the subtitle track, program statistics and at least one frame in a media database. Another aspect includes receiving a user query associated with dialog in a program, searching the media database and presenting a listing of results, receiving a user selection or program from their listing and transmitting at least one frame, a portion of associated subtitle track and prompts for ordering the program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventor: Simon D. BYERS
  • Publication number: 20160057202
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for sharing asserted media. An assertion application can be executed by a device to generate asserted media. The assertion application can receive a request or other input for specifying information to be included in the asserted media. The assertion application also can be executed to obtain media captured with a media capture device and to obtain the information to be included in the asserted media. The assertion application also can associate the information with the media content to generate the asserted media and share the asserted media with one or more recipients. An assertion service remote from the user device can be configured to generate the asserted media and/or to share the asserted media with the recipients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Simon D. Byers
  • Patent number: 9218425
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media process a series of media files into a searchable format. The method includes generating a media database by processing each of a plurality of programs. The steps of the method include extracting a subtitle track from each of the programs, retrieving at least one frame associated with the subtitle track, adding metadata to the extracted subtitle track and at least one frame, processing the subtitle track, program statistics and at least one frame in a media database. Another aspect includes receiving a user query associated with dialog in a program, searching the media database and presenting a listing of results, receiving a user selection or program from their listing and transmitting at least one frame, a portion of associated subtitle track and prompts for ordering the program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventor: Simon D. Byers
  • Patent number: 9171015
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for sharing asserted media. An assertion application can be executed by a device to generate asserted media. The assertion application can receive a request or other input for specifying information to be included in the asserted media. The assertion application also can be executed to obtain media captured with a media capture device and to obtain the information to be included in the asserted media. The assertion application also can associate the information with the media content to generate the asserted media and share the asserted media with one or more recipients. An assertion service remote from the user device can be configured to generate the asserted media and/or to share the asserted media with the recipients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Simon D. Byers
  • Publication number: 20150143404
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving a media program on a first media channel, detecting a first segment in the media program, where the first segment comprises media content combined with an embedded advertisement, determining a first emotional context from a first analysis of the media content, determining a second emotional context from a second analysis of the embedded advertisement, and detecting an inconsistency between the first emotional context and the second emotional context. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventor: Simon D. Byers
  • Publication number: 20150143410
    Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations. The operations comprise obtaining product image data and comparing image data of a media program with the product image data. A product placement in the media program is determined based on the comparison, and an entry in a product placement database is generated. The entry comprises identifiers of the media program, a product descriptor descriptive of the product, and a context descriptor descriptive of a presentation scheme used for the first product placement. A rating is assigned to the media program with respect to the product in accordance with the entry of the product placement in the product placement database and other entries of other product placements in the product placement database. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventor: Simon D. Byers
  • Publication number: 20140324837
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media process a series of media files into a searchable format. The method includes generating a media database by processing each of a plurality of programs. The steps of the method include extracting a subtitle track from each of the programs, retrieving at least one frame associated with the subtitle track, adding metadata to the extracted subtitle track and at least one frame, processing the subtitle track, program statistics and at least one frame in a media database. Another aspect includes receiving a user query associated with dialog in a program, searching the media database and presenting a listing of results, receiving a user selection or program from their listing and transmitting at least one frame, a portion of associated subtitle track and prompts for ordering the program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Simon D. BYERS
  • Patent number: 8781996
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media process a series of media files into a searchable format. The method includes generating a media database by processing each of a plurality of programs. The steps of the method include extracting a subtitle track from each of the programs, retrieving at least one frame associated with the subtitle track, adding metadata to the extracted subtitle track and at least one frame, processing the subtitle track, program statistics and at least one frame in a media database. Another aspect includes receiving a user query associated with dialog in a program, searching the media database and presenting a listing of results, receiving a user selection or program from their listing and transmitting at least one frame, a portion of associated subtitle track and prompts for ordering the program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventor: Simon D. Byers
  • Publication number: 20140082067
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for sharing asserted media. An assertion application can be executed by a device to generate asserted media. The assertion application can receive a request or other input for specifying information to be included in the asserted media. The assertion application also can be executed to obtain media captured with a media capture device and to obtain the information to be included in the asserted media. The assertion application also can associate the information with the media content to generate the asserted media and share the asserted media with one or more recipients. An assertion service remote from the user device can be configured to generate the asserted media and/or to share the asserted media with the recipients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventor: Simon D. Byers
  • Patent number: 8660114
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling internet access telephone calls made via cable company telephone services. A head end data terminal receives cable signals and converts them into individual signals. An intelligent switch detects signals destined for an internet service provider and routes those signals on a separate path to the internet service provider. A central switch routes the other signals along a telephone network. A computer program can control the steps of receiving cable signals, converting them into voice band signals, routing the signals that are not for the intended recipient to a central switch, multiplexing the signals for the intended recipient together, and sending the multiplexed signals to the intended recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Vaidyanathan Ramaswami, Duncan K. Sparrell, Simon D. Byers, Kenneth W. Church
  • Patent number: 8156114
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system, method and computer-readable medium related to searching at least one media presentation. The media presentation may be a video such as a movie or television program, an audio presentation such as a song or music, or a printed media such as a book or publication. The method comprises receiving a query associated with words in a media presentation and in response to the query, searching within a database organized as a plurality of indexed segments associated with at least one media presentation, each indexed segment further comprising text and a still image corresponding to an associated portion of the media presentation. A word-based analysis of the media presentation is also presented such as a verbosity histogram to provide context for the retrieved search text. The matching indexed segments are retrieved as a result of the search and presented to the user in such a way as to enable the user to browse or purchase the media presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventor: Simon D. Byers
  • Publication number: 20120076138
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling internet access telephone calls made via cable company telephone services. A head end data terminal receives cable signals and converts them into individual signals. An intelligent switch detects signals destined for an internet service provider and routes those signals on a separate path to the internet service provider. A central switch routes the other signals along a telephone network. A computer program can control the steps of receiving cable signals, converting them into voice band signals, routing the signals that are not for the intended recipient to a central switch, multiplexing the signals for the intended recipient together, and sending the multiplexed signals to the intended recipient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Vaidyanathan Ramaswami, Duncan K. Sparrell, Simon D. Byers, Kenneth W. Church
  • Patent number: 8094650
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling internet access telephone calls made via cable company telephone services. A head end data terminal receives cable signals and converts them into individual signals. An intelligent switch detects signals destined for an internet service provider and routes those signals on a separate path to the internet service provider. A central switch routes the other signals along a telephone network. A computer program can control the steps of receiving cable signals, converting them into voice band signals, routing the signals that are not for the intended recipient to a central switch, multiplexing the signals for the intended recipient together, and sending the multiplexed signals to the intended recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Vaidyanathan Ramaswami, Duncan K. Sparrell, Simon D. Byers, Kenneth W. Church
  • Patent number: 8010639
    Abstract: A system and method efficiently and anonymously retrieves large scale Web data through a restricted query interface. A number of proxy servers are utilized to permit parallel access to a target Web server for processing multiple queries simultaneously. Latency in the individual queries is absorbed by the proxy servers. Queries that would otherwise appear structured to the target server are assigned to the proxy server in a random fashion, obscuring the structured nature of the queries. The anonymous nature of the queries made by the proxy servers furthermore conceals the identity of the originating server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventor: Simon D. Byers
  • Patent number: 7912827
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system, method and computer-readable medium related to searching at least one text-based media presentation. Examples of such media include, but are not limited to, print media such as books, magazines, and newspapers. The method comprises receiving a query associated with words in a text-based media presentation and in response to the query, searching within a database organized as a plurality of content-based indexed segments associated with at least one text-based media presentation, each indexed segment further comprising text and a still image corresponding to an associated portion of the text-based media presentation. The method retrieves a plurality of indexed segments as a result of the search wherein the user may navigate forward to at least one following indexed segment and backward to at least one previous indexed segment from an indexed segment associated with the query.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Simon D. Byers, David Kormann, Allan Wilks
  • Publication number: 20090248843
    Abstract: A system and method efficiently and anonymously retrieves large scale Web data through a restricted query interface. A number of proxy servers are utilized to permit parallel access to a target Web server for processing multiple queries simultaneously. Latency in the individual queries is absorbed by the proxy servers. Queries that would otherwise appear structured to the target server are assigned to the proxy server in a random fashion, obscuring the structured nature of the queries. The anonymous nature of the queries made by the proxy servers furthermore conceals the identity of the originating server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventor: Simon D. Byers
  • Patent number: 7555474
    Abstract: A system and method efficiently and anonymously retrieves large scale Web data through a restricted query interface. A number of proxy servers are utilized to permit parallel access to a target Web server for processing multiple queries simultaneously. Latency in the individual queries is absorbed by the proxy servers. Queries that would otherwise appear structured to the target server are assigned to the proxy server in a random fashion, obscuring the structured nature of the queries. The anonymous nature of the queries made by the proxy servers furthermore conceals the identity of the originating server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventor: Simon D. Byers
  • Publication number: 20090019009
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods and computer-readable media for processing a series of media files into a searchable format. The method includes generating a media database by processing each of a plurality of programs. The steps of the method include extracting a subtitle track from each of the programs, retrieving at least one frame associated with the subtitle track, adding metadata to the extracted subtitle track and at least one frame, processing the subtitle track, program statistics and at least one frame in a media database. Another aspect includes receiving a user query associated with dialog in a program, searching the media database and presenting a listing of results, receiving a user selection or program from their listing and transmitting at least one frame, a portion of associated subtitle track and prompts for ordering the program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: AT&T Corp.
    Inventor: Simon D. BYERS
  • Publication number: 20080205383
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling internet access telephone calls made via cable company telephone services. A head end data terminal receives cable signals and converts them into individual signals. An intelligent switch detects signals destined for an internet service provider and routes those signals on a separate path to the internet service provider. A central switch routes the other signals along a telephone network. A computer program can control the steps of receiving cable signals, converting them into voice band signals, routing the signals that are not for the intended recipient to a central switch, multiplexing the signals for the intended recipient together, and sending the multiplexed signals to the intended recipient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Vaidyanathan Ramaswami, Duncan K. Sparrell, Simon D. Byers, Kenneth W. Church
  • Patent number: 7369542
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling internet access telephone calls made via cable company telephone services. A head end data terminal receives cable signals and converts them into individual signals. An intelligent switch detects signals destined for an internet service provider and routes those signals on a separate path to the internet service provider. A central switch routes the other signals along a telephone network. A computer program can control the steps of receiving cable signals, converting them into voice band signals, routing the signals that are not for the intended recipient to a central switch, multiplexing the signals for the intended recipient together, and sending the multiplexed signals to the intended recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Vaidyanathan Ramaswami, Duncan K. Sparrell, Simon D. Byers, Kenneth W. Church