Patents by Inventor Timothy Alan Barrett

Timothy Alan Barrett 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: 9749443
    Abstract: A system and method for system and method for video distribution over a range of devices over Internet Protocol (IP) networks are provided. The system and method provide for connecting to the network at least one additional content source, communicating a first request over the network, the request requiring each of the plurality of content sources to identify channels on which each of the content sources provides content, and selecting a channel not being used by the content sources to provide content. The method and system may also provide for connecting at least one client to the network, communicating a second request over the network, the second request requiring each of the plurality of content sources to identify channels on which each of the plurality of content sources provides content, selecting an identified channel by the at least one client, and providing content to the at least one client on the selected identified channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Timothy Alan Barrett, Ben Crosby
  • Patent number: 9298830
    Abstract: In accordance with example embodiments, the present application discloses at least a method, a system and an apparatus apt to facilitate the browsing, the discovery, and the usage of items. In one embodiment, items share a plurality of common attributes and can be arranged and displayed according to degrees of commonality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventor: Timothy Alan Barrett
  • Patent number: 9230315
    Abstract: Automatic determination of the complexity associated with converting image content from 2-dimensions to 3-dimensions commences by first determining how many different scenes exist within the image content. Each scene then undergoes analysis to determine its complexity based on the motion, texture and occlusion within the scene. The scene complexities are added to the scene transition complexity and the total gets weighted to yield an overall indication of the complexity of converting of image content from 2-dimensions to 3-dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Timothy Alan Barrett, Pierre Hughes Routhier, Joan Llach, Ben Crosby
  • Patent number: 9228166
    Abstract: Biocontainers, as well as methods and platforms for rocking the biocontainers, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Alan Barrett, Alison Jane West, Kenneth Roy Weight, Adam Peter Westwood, Daniel James Kesselaar
  • Patent number: 9185383
    Abstract: Video display capabilities for use in the home continue to evolve. A method is described including receiving a video signal in a first format, determining at least one parameter associated with the signal and a display device, converting the signal to a signal in a second format based on the signal and display device parameters, and converting the second signal to a display signal based on the display device parameter. An apparatus is described including an input stream processor that decodes and separates a received signal, a controller that determines at least one characteristic of the signal and a display device, a video signal processor circuit that converts the signal to a second signal based on the characteristics and further converts the second signal to an output signal based on a characteristic of the display device, and an interface circuit that provides the output signal to the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Timothy Alan Barrett, Ben Crosby
  • Patent number: 9185450
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing content on a distributed storage system are described including receiving a request to schedule recording of the managed content from at least one of a plurality of networked recording device, the request including a reference for the managed content, determining a replication factor, selecting a number and selecting which of the plurality of networked recording devices are to record the managed content, determining actual program start time and one of starting content ingest and instructing the selected plurality of networked recording devices to start content ingest, fragmenting the requested content and distributing the fragmented content to the selected plurality of networked recording devices and transmitting at least unique content playback reference required to access the content on the distributed storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventor: Timothy Alan Barrett
  • Patent number: 8891936
    Abstract: A method and device for optimal playback positioning in video content are provided. The present disclosure relates to a mechanism of tagging scenes or significant points in content in a prioritized way, and defines a mechanism to utilize this tagging associated with the content to facilitate stopping or starting at appropriate points for playback, e.g., when pressing a scene skip button to jump forward or back to another scene, or when pressing Play after inputting a fast-forward or rewind instruction. The method and device provide for displaying video content at a playback speed for viewing, receiving a first navigation instruction to navigate the video content at a speed faster than the playback speed for viewing, receiving a second navigation instruction to displaying of the video content, and determining a playback position of the video content based on at least one tagged frame of the video content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Timothy Alan Barrett
  • Publication number: 20140330841
    Abstract: In accordance with example embodiments, the present application discloses at least a method, a system and an apparatus apt to facilitate the browsing, the discovery, and the usage of items. In one embodiment, items share a plurality of common attributes and can be arranged and displayed according to degrees of commonality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventor: Timothy Alan Barrett
  • Publication number: 20140226956
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing the recording of digital content are provided. The method (300) includes receiving (310) a data stream, recording (320) the stream, receiving (330) a notification identifying a change in at least a portion of the data stream, and outputting (370) a subset of the recorded data stream based on the notification. The apparatus (200) includes a receiver (202) that receives a data stream, a storage device (212) that records the stream, a controller (214) that creates a subset of the recorded stream based on a notification received by the signal receiver and identifying a change in at least a portion of the data stream, the notification received separate from the data stream, and a display interface (218) that outputs the subset of the recorded stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Timothy Alan Barrett, Ben Crosby
  • Patent number: 8717759
    Abstract: A transformable enclosure enabling increased functionality, such as storage capacity, is provided. The apparatus enables modular units to be attached to increase capacity without compromising the integrity of the overall structure. The apparatus includes a housing that contains a signal processing circuit, the housing including interfaces for coupling a plurality of removable modules to the circuit, a base coupled to the housing that supports the housing in at least two orientations. The apparatus operates in a first mechanical orientation without the plurality of removable modules coupled to the interfaces and operates in a second mechanical orientation with the plurality of removable modules coupled to the interfaces. A cooling device provides cooling for the circuit in the first mechanical orientation and the plurality of removable modules in the second mechanical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Ben Crosby, Sheldon George Phillips, Michael Hee-cheol Kim, Timothy Alan Barrett
  • Publication number: 20140013368
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing content on a distributed storage system are described including receiving a request to schedule recording of the managed content from at least one of a plurality of networked recording device, the request including a reference for the managed content, determining a replication factor, selecting a number and selecting which of the plurality of networked recording devices are to record the managed content, determining actual program start time and one of starting content ingest and instructing the selected plurality of networked recording devices to start content ingest, fragmenting the requested content and distributing the fragmented content to the selected plurality of networked recording devices and transmitting at least unique content playback reference required to access the content on the distributed storage system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventor: Timothy Alan Barrett
  • Publication number: 20130282801
    Abstract: A system and method for system and method for video distribution over a range of devices over Internet Protocol (IP) networks are provided. The system and method provide for connecting to the network at least one additional content source, communicating a first request over the network, the request requiring each of the plurality of content sources to identify channels on which each of the content sources provides content, and selecting a channel not being used by the content sources to provide content. The method and system may also provide for connecting at least one client to the network, communicating a second request over the network, the second request requiring each of the plurality of content sources to identify channels on which each of the plurality of content sources provides content, selecting an identified channel by the at least one client, and providing content to the at least one client on the selected identified channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Timothy Alan Barrett, Ben Crosby
  • Publication number: 20130282800
    Abstract: A system, method and user interface (1300) for providing media or content recommendations are provided. More specifically, the system, method and user interface provide media recommendations including enabling a user to select a first media object, the first media object having a first set of characteristics, enabling the user to select a second media object, the second media object having a second set of characteristics, and recommending a plurality of additional media objects, each of the plurality of additional media objects having at least one characteristic in common with the first set of characteristics and at least one characteristic in common with the second set of characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Timothy Alan Barrett, Ben Crosby
  • Publication number: 20130259318
    Abstract: Automatic determination of the complexity associated with converting image content from 2-dimensions to 3-dimensions commences by first determining how many different scenes exist within the image content. Each scene then undergoes analysis to determine its complexity based on the motion, texture and occlusion within the scene. The scene complexities are added to the scene transition complexity and the total gets weighted to yield an overall indication of the complexity of converting of image content from 2-dimensions to 3-dimensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Timothy Alan Barrett, Pierre Hughes Routhier, Joan Llach, Ben Crosey
  • Publication number: 20130157355
    Abstract: Biocontainers, as well as methods and platforms for rocking the biocontainers, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Alan Barrett, Alison Jane West, Kenneth Roy Weight, Adam Peter Westwood, Daniel James Kesselaar
  • Publication number: 20130011116
    Abstract: A method and device for optimal playback positioning in video content are provided. The present disclosure relates to a mechanism of tagging scenes or significant points in content in a prioritized way, and defines a mechanism to utilize this tagging associated with the content to facilitate stopping or starting at appropriate points for playback, e.g., when pressing a scene skip button to jump forward or back to another scene, or when pressing Play after inputting a fast-forward or rewind instruction. The method and device provide for displaying video content at a playback speed for viewing, receiving a first navigation instruction to navigate the video content at a speed faster than the playback speed for viewing, receiving a second navigation instruction to displaying of the video content, and determining a playback position of the video content based on at least one tagged frame of the video content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventor: Timothy Alan Barrett
  • Publication number: 20120290748
    Abstract: A transformable enclosure enabling increased functionality, such as storage capacity, is provided. The apparatus enables modular units to be attached to increase capacity without compromising the integrity of the overall structure. The apparatus includes a housing that contains a signal processing circuit, the housing including interfaces for coupling a plurality of removable modules to the circuit, a base coupled to the housing that supports the housing in at least two orientations. The apparatus operates in a first mechanical orientation without the plurality of removable modules coupled to the interfaces and operates in a second mechanical orientation with the plurality of removable modules coupled to the interfaces. A cooling device provides cooling for the circuit in the first mechanical orientation and the plurality of removable modules in the second mechanical orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Ben Crosby, Sheldon George Phillips, Michael Hee-Cheol Kim, Timothy Alan Barrett
  • Publication number: 20120249736
    Abstract: Video display capabilities for use in the home continue to evolve. A method is described including receiving a video signal in a first format, determining at least one parameter associated with the signal and a display device, converting the signal to a signal in a second format based on the signal and display device parameters, and converting the second signal to a display signal based on the display device parameter. An apparatus is described including an input stream processor that decodes and separates a received signal, a controller that determines at least one characteristic of the signal and a display device, a video signal processor circuit that converts the signal to a second signal based on the characteristics and further converts the second signal to an output signal based on a characteristic of the display device, and an interface circuit that provides the output signal to the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Timothy Alan Barrett, Ben Crosby
  • Patent number: 8160065
    Abstract: A device and a method for enabling access to data from a channel are provided. The device comprises a storage medium for storing the data from the channel as it is received at a network element and a controller. The controller enables commencing storage of at least a portion of multicast data from the channel not already stored on a storage medium as the data is received at a network element, after detecting a request to receive data from the channel. In the event of receiving a subsequent request associated with a user device to receive data from the channel, the data is transmitted from the storage medium to the user device. A controller for controlling storage of the data comprises a memory and a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventor: Timothy Alan Barrett