Patents Assigned to ELOY TECHNOLOGY
  • Patent number: 9507785
    Abstract: A media broker comprises a communication interface and a controller associated with the communication interface configured to divide at least one media item into a plurality of media item content layers, assign a priority to each of the plurality of media content item layers and direct one or more media storage devices to store the plurality of media content layers. The controller is configured to subsequently determine when space is needed. In response to determining that space is needed, at least one of the plurality of media content item layers is selected based upon the priority of the at least one of the plurality of media content item layers and deleted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Kunal Kandekar, Christopher M. Amidon, Hugh Svendsen
  • Patent number: 9445158
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for enabling a distributed group of users to collaboratively select a media item for a collaborative playback session. In one embodiment, a distributed group of users for a collaborative playback session is formed, where the distributed group of users includes a number of users located at a number of geographically distributed user sites. Each user site includes one or more media controllers having access to media content and one or more renderers that operate to render the media content. A distributed aggregate guide that includes a listing of media content accessible to the media controllers at all of the user sites is generated and utilized by users at the user sites to suggest media items for the collaborative playback session. Based on the suggestions of the users, a media item for the collaborative playback session is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Amidon, Kunal Kandekar, Scott Curtis
  • Patent number: 9288540
    Abstract: A media device includes a communication interface communicatively coupling the media device to one or more other media devices and a display, and a controller associated with the communication interface. The controller is adapted to access one or more templates comprising a layout of a graphical user interface (GUI). The controller further identifies one or more other media devices from which media content may be streamed and one or more media content streams available from each of the one or more media devices and determine, based upon the template and the one or more media content streams, at least one of the media content streams to display. The controller then acquires and outputs the at least one of the media content streams for display in accordance with the layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Amidon, Scott Curtis, Hugh Svendsen
  • Patent number: 9247297
    Abstract: Systems and devices are disclosed for monitoring and controlling usage of media content by blocking usage of media segments. In one embodiment, usage data defining usage, or consumption, of the media content is obtained. A pattern in media segments in the media content based on the usage data is detected when the media segments satisfy at least one defined criterion and are consumed at least a predefined threshold amount. Usage of at least one of the media segments is blocked. In one embodiment, one or more additional media segments accessible to the one or more media devices that are similar to the at least one of the one or more media segments for which usage is blocked at the one or more media devices is identified. Usage of at least one of the one or more additional media segments at the one or more media devices is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Ravi Reddy Katpelly, Christopher M. Amidon, Kunal Kandekar
  • Patent number: 9208239
    Abstract: Cloud-based systems and methods for aggregating media collections of users are disclosed. In one embodiment, in order to generate an aggregate media collection catalog of a first user, a cloud-based media aggregation system identifies one or more second users that have an identifier that is the same as an identifier of the first user for purposes of media collection aggregation. The media aggregation system then aggregates media collection catalogs of the one or more second users with a media collection catalog of the first user to thereby provide an aggregate media collection catalog of the first user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Amidon, Harold Sutherland, Hugh Svendsen
  • Patent number: 9191229
    Abstract: Systems and methods relating to a Media Collection Aggregation System (MCAS) are provided. In one embodiment, a number of nodes are connected over a Local Area Network (LAN) to provide an ad-hoc MCAS network. At least some of the nodes in the MCAS network share locally stored media collections, or select subsets thereof, with the other nodes in the MCAS network. Each node in the MCAS network selects and aggregates one or more of the shared media collections to provide an aggregate media collection for that node. One of the nodes in the MCAS network is a proxy node that provides a proxy service that enables remote participation in the MCAS network. In one embodiment, the proxy node enables one or more remote nodes to passively and/or actively participate in the MCAS network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Steven L. Petersen, Harold Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20140229991
    Abstract: Systems and devices are disclosed for recommending items in a video series to a group of viewers. In general, video series item recommendations are generated for a viewer group detected within a viewing area of a media device based on personal viewing histories of users in the viewer group. In one embodiment, the video series item recommendations are recommendations for video series items that: (a) are from one or more video series historically viewed by at least a first predefined minimum threshold number of users in the viewer group and (b) have not yet been viewed by any of at least a second predefined minimum threshold number of users in the viewer group. The video series item recommendations are then provided to the viewer group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew V. Phillips, Scott Curtis
  • Publication number: 20140223468
    Abstract: Systems and devices are disclosed for monitoring and controlling usage of media content by blocking usage of media segments. In one embodiment, usage data defining usage, or consumption, of the media content is obtained. A pattern in media segments in the media content based on the usage data is detected when the media segments satisfy at least one defined criterion and are consumed at least a predefined threshold amount. Usage of at least one of the media segments is blocked. In one embodiment, one or more additional media segments accessible to the one or more media devices that are similar to the at least one of the one or more media segments for which usage is blocked at the one or more media devices is identified. Usage of at least one of the one or more additional media segments at the one or more media devices is blocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Ravi Reddy Katpelly, Christopher M. Amidon, Kunal Kandekar
  • Publication number: 20130311457
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aggregating a local media collection of a user with one or more shared media collections shared with the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user. In general, one or more shared media collections shared with the user are first discovered. Optionally, the user may select one or more of the shared media collections for aggregation with the local media collection of the user. The shared media collections selected by the user, or alternatively all of the shared media collections, are then aggregated with the local media collection of the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user. The aggregate media collection of the user may then be pruned or filtered based on user preferences of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: ELOY TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Hugh Svendsen, Harold Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20120278393
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aggregating a local media collection of a user with one or more shared media collections shared with the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user. In general, one or more shared media collections shared with the user are first discovered. Optionally, the user may select one or more of the shared media collections for aggregation with the local media collection of the user. The shared media collections selected by the user, or alternatively all of the shared media collections, are then aggregated with the local media collection of the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Hugh Svendsen, Harold Sutherland, Gary W. Black
  • Publication number: 20120203871
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for enabling a portable media player to obtain media content from secondary systems, such as other portable media players, via local wireless communication. In general, the portable media player stores proxy information identifying the media content of a number of media files in the user's media collection rather than the media files themselves. When a secondary system is within a local wireless coverage area of the portable media player, the proxy information for the media files, or a subset thereof, is provided to the secondary system. In response, the secondary system identifies media files stored by the secondary system having media content matching the media content identified by the proxy information. The secondary system then provides a notification of the identified media files to the portable media player, which may then obtain the identified media files from the secondary system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventor: Hugh Svendsen
  • Publication number: 20120117632
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining digital content. A credential is extracted from a first data stream that corresponds to a media item. The credential is provided to a content provider. If the credential is authenticated, the content provider sends a second data stream that corresponds to the media item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Curtis, Gregory M. Evans, Kunal Kandekar
  • Publication number: 20120117471
    Abstract: A media device includes a communication interface communicatively coupling the media device to one or more other media devices and a display, and a controller associated with the communication interface. The controller is adapted to access one or more templates comprising a layout of a graphical user interface (GUI). The controller further identifies one or more other media devices from which media content may be streamed and one or more media content streams available from each of the one or more media devices and determine, based upon the template and the one or more media content streams, at least one of the media content streams to display. The controller then acquires and outputs the at least one of the media content streams for display in accordance with the layout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Amidon, Scott Curtis, Hugh Svendsen
  • Publication number: 20120117581
    Abstract: A method and system for displaying program representation. Program rating information derived from a plurality of identified users regarding a plurality of programs is obtained. A social rank of the plurality of programs is determined based on the rating information. A plurality of program representations are displayed to a viewer, wherein the program representations represent corresponding ones of the plurality of programs and wherein a differentiating visual characteristic of each of the plurality of program representations is based on the social ranking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Curtis, Christopher M. Amidon, Gregory M. Evans
  • Publication number: 20120117110
    Abstract: A cloud-based media aggregation system that aggregates media collections of geographically proximate users is disclosed. In one embodiment, the media aggregation system determines that a first user and one or more second users are geographically proximate to one another. In response, the media aggregation system dynamically aggregates at least a portion of media collection catalogs of the one or more second users with a media collection catalog of the first user to provide an aggregate media collection catalog of the first user. The media aggregation system may control an extent of the aggregation based on pre-defined criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Amidon, Harold Sutherland, Hugh Svendsen
  • Publication number: 20120114311
    Abstract: A method for recording a media item. A first media controller records a first portion of a media item. The first media controller receives a request to view a second media item. The first media controller directs a second media controller to record a second portion of the media item, and couples the first portion to the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Harold Sutherland, Sean T. Purdy
  • Publication number: 20120113964
    Abstract: Systems and methods relating to a Media Collection Aggregation System (MCAS) are provided. In one embodiment, a number of nodes are connected over a Local Area Network (LAN) to provide an ad-hoc MCAS network. At least some of the nodes in the MCAS network share locally stored media collections, or select subsets thereof, with the other nodes in the MCAS network. Each node in the MCAS network selects and aggregates one or more of the shared media collections to provide an aggregate media collection for that node. One of the nodes in the MCAS network is a proxy node that provides a proxy service that enables remote participation in the MCAS network. In one embodiment, the proxy node enables one or more remote nodes to passively and/or actively participate in the MCAS network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Steven L. Petersen, Harold Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20120117017
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for recommending items in a video series to a group of viewers. In general, video series item recommendations are generated for a viewer group detected within a viewing area of a media device based on personal viewing histories of users in the viewer group. In one embodiment, the video series item recommendations are recommendations for video series items that: (a) are from one or more video series historically viewed by at least a first predefined minimum threshold number of users in the viewer group and (b) have not yet been viewed by any of at least a second predefined minimum threshold number of users in the viewer group. The video series item recommendations are then provided to the viewer group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew V. Phillips, Scott Curtis
  • Publication number: 20120117488
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for enabling a distributed group of users to collaboratively select a media item for a collaborative playback session. In one embodiment, a distributed group of users for a collaborative playback session is formed, where the distributed group of users includes a number of users located at a number of geographically distributed user sites. Each user site includes one or more media controllers having access to media content and one or more renderers that operate to render the media content. A distributed aggregate guide that includes a listing of media content accessible to the media controllers at all of the user sites is generated and utilized by users at the user sites to suggest media items for the collaborative playback session. Based on the suggestions of the users, a media item for the collaborative playback session is selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Amidon, Kunal Kandekar, Scott Curtis
  • Publication number: 20120117595
    Abstract: A method for displaying data from a program guide. Based on program metadata from a program guide, a display is caused to be presented on a display device that identifies a current status of a first media controller and a second media controller. The current status includes data identifying a first program currently being provided by the first media controller and a second program currently being provided by a second media controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Hugh Svendsen, Scott Curtis