Patents by Inventor Alan Cannistraro

Alan Cannistraro 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: 20180167672
    Abstract: Aspects include systems, computer readable media and methods for remotely updating properties of Audio/Visual (A/V) performance nodes that can receive A/V content through a wireless network from a central content source. The central content source can maintain information about properties of such nodes, providing such information to a device configured with remote control software, upon request. The remote control device can accept user inputs relating to properties updates, indications of such being provided to the central content source for distribution to nodes whose properties were updated. Examples of updatable properties include on/off toggling, and volume controls. Updating such properties can be protected by passwords. The central content source can be configured as software executing on a personal computer operable to communicate over the Internet for obtaining access to streaming and/or downloadable A/V content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Alan Cannistraro, Jeffrey L. Robbin, Amandeep S. Jawa
  • Publication number: 20180005517
    Abstract: Handheld electronic devices are provided that have remote control functionality and gesture recognition features. The handheld electronic device may have remote control functionality in addition to cellular telephone, music player, or handheld computer functionality. The handheld electronic devices may have a touch sensitive display screen. The handheld electronic devices may recognize gestures performed by a user on the touch sensitive display screen. The handheld electronic devices may generate remote control signals from gestures that the handheld electronic device may recognize. A media system may receive the remote control signals and may take appropriate action. The touch sensitive display screen may be used to present the user with information about the media system such as the current volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Eric James Hope, Alan Cannistraro, Policarpo Wood, William Bull
  • Patent number: 9794505
    Abstract: Systems and methods for saving and restoring scenes in a multimedia system with minimal configuration are provided. The techniques of the present invention can allow the states of the components in the multimedia system to be captured in a scene. Once the scene has been saved, the scene can be restored at a later time. A remote control system for recommending scenes by comparing states of components in the current scene with states of components in saved scenes is also provided. The remote control system can also recommend scenes based on usage patterns. Moreover, the remote control system can allow users to designate one or more saved scenes as favorite scenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Cannistraro
  • Patent number: 9767681
    Abstract: Handheld electronic devices are provided that have remote control functionality and gesture recognition features. The handheld electronic device may have remote control functionality in addition to cellular telephone, music player, or handheld computer functionality. The handheld electronic devices may have a touch sensitive display screen. The handheld electronic devices may recognize gestures performed by a user on the touch sensitive display screen. The handheld electronic devices may generate remote control signals from gestures that the handheld electronic device may recognize. A media system may receive the remote control signals and may take appropriate action. The touch sensitive display screen may be used to present the user with information about the media system such as the current volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric James Hope, Alan Cannistraro, Policarpo Wood, William Bull
  • Patent number: 9716774
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for method for syncing a user interface on a server device to a user interface on a client device are disclosed. The method includes broadcasting a signal from a server device to a client device when the server device presents an active user input interface on a display screen, wherein the active user input interface illustrates input from a user via a remote control that is separate from the client device, wherein the remote control requires multiple steps for inputting a character. The method next includes establishing a connection between the server device and the client device if certain pre-defined criteria are met. Next the method includes transmitting parameters for displaying a client user input interface on the connected client device that is associated with the active user input interface, including loading existing data in an input field of the active user input interface into a client input field on the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Rainer Brodersen, Amandeep Jawa, Alan Cannistraro, Daniel Davis, Jeffrey L. Robbin
  • Publication number: 20160173806
    Abstract: Systems and methods for saving and restoring scenes in a multimedia system with minimal configuration are provided. The techniques of the present invention can allow the states of the components in the multimedia system to be captured in a scene. Once the scene has been saved, the scene can be restored at a later time. A remote control system for recommending scenes by comparing states of components in the current scene with states of components in saved scenes is also provided. The remote control system can also recommend scenes based on usage patterns. Moreover, the remote control system can allow users to designate one or more saved scenes as favorite scenes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventor: Alan Cannistraro
  • Patent number: 9288422
    Abstract: Systems and methods for saving and restoring scenes in a multimedia system with minimal configuration are provided. The techniques of the present invention can allow the states of the components in the multimedia system to be captured in a scene. Once the scene has been saved, the scene can be restored at a later time. A remote control system for recommending scenes by comparing states of components in the current scene with states of components in saved scenes is also provided. The remote control system can also recommend scenes based on usage patterns. Moreover, the remote control system can allow users to designate one or more saved scenes as favorite scenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Cannistraro
  • Publication number: 20160044373
    Abstract: Aspects include systems, computer readable media and methods for remotely updating properties of Audio/Visual (A/V) performance nodes that can receive A/V content through a wireless network from a central content source. The central content source can maintain information about properties of such nodes, providing such information to a device configured with remote control software, upon request. The remote control device can accept user inputs relating to properties updates, indications of such being provided to the central content source for distribution to nodes whose properties were updated. Examples of updatable properties include on/off toggling, and volume controls. Updating such properties can be protected by passwords. The central content source can be configured as software executing on a personal computer operable to communicate over the Internet for obtaining access to streaming and/or downloadable A/V content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Alan Cannistraro, Jeffrey L. Robbin, Amandeep S. Jawa
  • Publication number: 20150339383
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method involves accessing a library of video segments, receiving a user instruction to assemble a movie related to an organizing element that includes a video segment from the library of video segments, relating the organizing element to a video segment in the library of video segments, determining, based on relating the organizing element to the video segment in the library of video segments, whether the video segment should be added to a list of selected segments used to assemble the movie, selectively adding the video segment to the list of selected segments in response to determining that the video segment should be added, and assembling the movie using the list of selected segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Gary Johnson, Mike Marinkovich, Gregory C. Lindley, Alan Cannistraro, Evan Doll
  • Patent number: 9113223
    Abstract: Aspects include systems, computer readable media and methods for remotely updating properties of Audio/Visual (A/V) performance nodes that can receive A/V content through a wireless network from a central content source. The central content source can maintain information about properties of such nodes, providing such information to a device configured with remote control software, upon request. The remote control device can accept user inputs relating to properties updates, indications of such being provided to the central content source for distribution to nodes whose properties were updated. Examples of updatable properties include on/off toggling, and volume controls. Updating such properties can be protected by passwords. The central content source can be configured as software executing on a personal computer operable to communicate over the Internet for obtaining access to streaming and/or downloadable A/V content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Alan Cannistraro, Jeffrey L. Robbin, Amandeep Jawa
  • Patent number: 9047374
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method involves accessing a library of video segments, receiving a user instruction to assemble a movie related to an organizing element that includes a video segment from the library of video segments, relating the organizing element to a video segment in the library of video segments, determining, based on relating the organizing element to the video segment in the library of video segments, whether the video segment should be added to a list of selected segments used to assemble the movie, selectively adding the video segment to the list of selected segments in response to determining that the video segment should be added, and assembling the movie using the list of selected segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Johnson, Mike Marinkovich, Greg Lindley, Alan Cannistraro, Evan Doll
  • Publication number: 20140359467
    Abstract: The present system and method is particularly useful for remotely controlling a device having one or more menus via a remote touch interface having at least an unstructured primary input area. A user can provide inputs to a touch interface without needing to view the interface and yet still achieve the desired response from the remotely controlled device. The primary input area of the touch interface may or may not have a background display, such as on a touch screen, but the primary input area of the touch interface should be unstructured and should not have independently selectable items, buttons, icons or anything of the like. Since the touch interface is unstructured, the user does not have to identify any selectable buttons. Instead the user can input a gesture into the interface and watch the remotely controlled device respond. The system does not provide any other visual confirmation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: RAINER BRODERSEN, ALAN CANNISTRARO, JEFFREY L. ROBBIN, GREGORY CHARLES LINDLEY
  • Patent number: 8742885
    Abstract: The present system and method is particularly useful for remotely controlling a device having one or more menus via a remote touch interface having at least an unstructured primary input area. A user can provide inputs to a touch interface without needing to view the interface and yet still achieve the desired response from the remotely controlled device. The primary input area of the touch interface may or may not have a background display, such as on a touch screen, but the primary input area of the touch interface should be unstructured and should not have independently selectable items, buttons, icons or anything of the like. Since the touch interface is unstructured, the user does not have to identify any selectable buttons. Instead the user can input a gesture into the interface and watch the remotely controlled device respond. The system does not provide any other visual confirmation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Brodersen, Alan Cannistraro, Jeffrey L. Robbin, Gregory Charles Lindley
  • Publication number: 20140109138
    Abstract: Aspects include systems, computer readable media and methods for remotely updating properties of Audio/Visual (A/V) performance nodes that can receive A/V content through a wireless network from a central content source. The central content source can maintain information about properties of such nodes, providing such information to a device configured with remote control software, upon request. The remote control device can accept user inputs relating to properties updates, indications of such being provided to the central content source for distribution to nodes whose properties were updated. Examples of updatable properties include on/off toggling, and volume controls. Updating such properties can be protected by passwords. The central content source can be configured as software executing on a personal computer operable to communicate over the Internet for obtaining access to streaming and/or downloadable A/V content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Cannistraro, Jeffrey L. Robbin, Amandeep Jawa
  • Publication number: 20140009676
    Abstract: Systems and methods for saving and restoring scenes in a multimedia system with minimal configuration are provided. The techniques of the present invention can allow the states of the components in the multimedia system to be captured in a scene. Once the scene has been saved, the scene can be restored at a later time. A remote control system for recommending scenes by comparing states of components in the current scene with states of components in saved scenes is also provided. The remote control system can also recommend scenes based on usage patterns. Moreover, the remote control system can allow users to designate one or more saved scenes as favorite scenes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Cannistraro
  • Patent number: 8614625
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed for controlling, from a mobile device, media content stored on the mobile device to a media client for presentation on a display device. Data can be provided from the mobile device to the media client for identifying the location of the media content and a playback time. Based on the data, the media client can obtain a portion of the media content associated with the playback time. Also, playback of the media content on the display device can be controlled by a user of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Matthieu Alsina, Bob Bradley, Alan Cannistraro, Scott Forstall, Amandeep Jawa, Nicholas V. King, Lucas Newman, Daniel Trent Preston, Jai Chulani, Jeffrey Robbin
  • Patent number: 8519820
    Abstract: Systems and methods for saving and restoring scenes in a multimedia system with minimal configuration are provided. The techniques of the present invention can allow the states of the components in the multimedia system to be captured in a scene. Once the scene has been saved, the scene can be restored at a later time. A remote control system for recommending scenes by comparing states of components in the current scene with states of components in saved scenes is also provided. The remote control system can also recommend scenes based on usage patterns. Moreover, the remote control system can allow users to designate one or more saved scenes as favorite scenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Cannistraro
  • Patent number: 8505056
    Abstract: Aspects include systems, computer readable media and methods for remotely updating properties of Audio/Visual (A/V) performance nodes that can receive A/V content through a wireless network from a central content source. The central content source can maintain information about properties of such nodes, providing such information to a device configured with remote control software, upon request. The remote control device can accept user inputs relating to properties updates, indications of such being provided to the central content source for distribution to nodes whose properties were updated. Examples of updatable properties include on/off toggling, and volume controls. Updating such properties can be protected by passwords. The central content source can be configured as software executing on a personal computer operable to communicate over the Internet for obtaining access to streaming and/or downloadable A/V content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Cannistraro, Jeffrey L. Robbin, Amandeep Jawa
  • Patent number: 8490012
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for collaborative media editing. In one aspect, a method includes presenting, to an originator, an originator interface including multiple media panes; establishing a connection with a collaborator; receiving from the originator a selection indicating an item of media content associated with at least one of the multiple media panes; transmitting to the collaborator the selected item of media content; and enabling inter-user communication relating to the selected item of media content in the originator interface with the collaborator. Further, a connection can be established with a second collaborator, the item of media content can be transmitted to the second collaborator, and communication can occur in the originator interface with the second collaborator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Marinkovich, Gregory Charles Lindley, Alan Cannistraro, Evan Doll, Gary Johnson
  • Patent number: 8473846
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes displaying, within a user interface in a digital media system, a project pane, displaying video content within the project pane, the video content aligned relative to a time line, adding overlay content to the video content, and anchoring a first position in the overlay content to a second position in the video content such that content corresponding to the first position is synchronized to content corresponding to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Ubillos, Mike Marinkovich, Greg Lindley, Alan Cannistraro, Evan Doll, Gary Johnson