Patents by Inventor Allen Billings

Allen Billings 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: 20240118788
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for allowing a user to dynamically manage rich media content in an efficient and effective manner. Tiles including media content, personalized video selections, content pack upgrades, and promotions for featured content are presented to a user. Each tile may include calls to view, purchase, discuss, rate, review, or read about associated content. Tiles may be presented as still images, logos, text, or live video. Multiple tiles may be manipulated using keyboard, mouse, touchpad, and/or touchscreen movements, motions, and gestures. In particular examples, an overlay provided on top of a tile mechanism provides a user with additional navigation and management options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Kirsten Hunter, Christopher Chan, Vasanth Shenoy, James Collette, Do H. Chung, Allen Billings
  • Patent number: 11693534
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for allowing a user to dynamically manage rich media content in an efficient and effective manner. Tiles including media content, personalized video selections, content pack upgrades, and promotions for featured content are presented to a user. Each tile may include calls to view, purchase, discuss, rate, review, or read about associated content. Tiles may be presented as still images, logos, text, or live video. Multiple tiles may be manipulated using keyboard, mouse, touchpad, and/or touchscreen movements, motions, and gestures. In particular examples, an overlay provided on top of a tile mechanism provides a user with additional navigation and management options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: TiVo Corporation
    Inventors: Kirsten Hunter, Christopher Chan, Vasanth Shenoy, James Collette, Do H. Chung, Allen Billings
  • Publication number: 20230126519
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for relevance-based media content discovery. Relevance scores for segments of a media asset are calculated based on a time amount that at least one viewer has viewed the segments of the media asset. Segments are then chosen for display based on the relevance score. Users may select segments based on representative images of the segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: John Hinman, Ray DeRenzo, Timothy Chan, Allen Billings, Stephen Coney, David Brubeck
  • Publication number: 20220382418
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for allowing a user to dynamically manage rich media content in an efficient and effective manner. Tiles including media content, personalized video selections, content pack upgrades, and promotions for featured content are presented to a user. Each tile may include calls to view, purchase, discuss, rate, review, or read about associated content. Tiles may be presented as still images, logos, text, or live video. Multiple tiles may be manipulated using keyboard, mouse, touchpad, and/or touchscreen movements, motions, and gestures. In particular examples, an overlay provided on top of a tile mechanism provides a user with additional navigation and management options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Kirsten Hunter, Christopher Chan, Vasanth Shenoy, James Collette, Do H. Chung, Allen Billings
  • Patent number: 11373208
    Abstract: Advertisements are often presented in the context of a media content viewing experience. Advertisement presentation may be intrusive or subtle. In many instances, users may be interested in particular advertisements but may not want to disrupt a media content viewing experience by launching an advertisement window, opening an advertisement application, or otherwise being redirected to another piece of content. Consequently, mechanisms are provided to allow a user to identify advertisements or save advertisement interests for presentation at a later time. Saved advertisement interests can be used to inform future advertisement and/or content suggestions, and the user can be presented with selected advertisements within an application or through external mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: TIVO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Allen Billings
  • Publication number: 20220188864
    Abstract: Advertisements are often presented in the context of a media content viewing experience. Advertisement presentation may be intrusive or subtle. In many instances, users may be interested in particular advertisements but may not want to disrupt a media content viewing experience by launching an advertisement window, opening an advertisement application, or otherwise being redirected to another piece of content. Consequently, mechanisms are provided to allow a user to identify advertisements or save advertisement interests for presentation at a later time. Saved advertisement interests can be used to inform future advertisement and/or content suggestions, and the user can be presented with selected advertisements within an application or through external mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventor: Allen Billings
  • Patent number: 11307736
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for allowing a user to dynamically manage rich media content in an efficient and effective manner. Tiles including media content, personalized video selections, content pack upgrades, and promotions for featured content are presented to a user. Each tile may include calls to view, purchase, discuss, rate, review, or read about associated content. Tiles may be presented as still images, logos, text, or live video. Multiple tiles may be manipulated using keyboard, mouse, touchpad, and/or touchscreen movements, motions, and gestures. In particular examples, an overlay provided on top of a tile mechanism provides a user with additional navigation and management options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: TiVo Corporation
    Inventors: Kirsten Hunter, Christopher Chan, Vasanth Shenoy, James Collette, Do H. Chung, Allen Billings
  • Publication number: 20210266642
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for character-based and image-based media content search and discovery. Character images or entity images are mapped to corresponding media content. Selection of an image or a portion of an image may trigger or search for corresponding media content or begin playback of relevant media content. Character images or entity images need not correspond to a primary program character or object but may correspond to minor characters or tangential entities depicted periodically on particular programs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: John Hinman, Ray DeRenzo, Timothy Chan, Allen Billings, Stephen Coney, David Brubeck
  • Patent number: 10812863
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for character-based and image-based media content search and discovery. Character images or entity images are mapped to corresponding media content. Selection of an image or a portion of an image may trigger or search for corresponding media content or begin playback of relevant media content. Character images or entity images need not correspond to a primary program character or object but may correspond to minor characters or tangential entities depicted periodically on particular programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: MobiTV, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hinman, Ray DeRenzo, Timothy Chan, Allen Billings, Stephen Coney, David Brubeck
  • Publication number: 20200234335
    Abstract: Advertisements are often presented in the context of a media content viewing experience. Advertisement presentation may be intrusive or subtle. In many instances, users may be interested in particular advertisements but may not want to disrupt a media content viewing experience by launching an advertisement window, opening an advertisement application, or otherwise being redirected to another piece of content. Consequently, mechanisms are provided to allow a user to identify advertisements or save advertisement interests for presentation at a later time. Saved advertisement interests can be used to inform future advertisement and/or content suggestions, and the user can be presented with selected advertisements within an application or through external mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: MobiTV, Inc.
    Inventor: Allen Billings
  • Patent number: 10643238
    Abstract: Advertisements are often presented in the context of a media content viewing experience. Advertisement presentation may be intrusive or subtle. In many instances, users may be interested in particular advertisements but may not want to disrupt a media content viewing experience by launching an advertisement window, opening an advertisement application, or otherwise being redirected to another piece of content. Consequently, mechanisms are provided to allow a user to identify advertisements or save advertisement interests for presentation at a later time. Saved advertisement interests can be used to inform future advertisement and/or content suggestions, and the user can be presented with selected advertisements within an application or through external mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: MobiTV, Inc.
    Inventor: Allen Billings
  • Publication number: 20190235708
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for allowing a user to dynamically manage rich media content in an efficient and effective manner Tiles including media content, personalized video selections, content pack upgrades, and promotions for featured content are presented to a user. Each tile may include calls to view, purchase, discuss, rate, review, or read about associated content. Tiles may be presented as still images, logos, text, or live video. Multiple tiles may be manipulated using keyboard, mouse, touchpad, and/or touchscreen movements, motions, and gestures. In particular examples, an overlay provided on top of a tile mechanism provides a user with additional navigation and management options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: MobiTV, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirsten Hunter, Christopher Chan, Vasanth Shenoy, James Collette, Do H. Chung, Allen Billings
  • Patent number: 10261657
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for allowing a user to dynamically manage rich media content in an efficient and effective manner. Tiles including media content, personalized video selections, content pack upgrades, and promotions for featured content are presented to a user. Each tile may include calls to view, purchase, discuss, rate, review, or read about associated content. Tiles may be presented as still images, logos, text, or live video. Multiple tiles may be manipulated using keyboard, mouse, touchpad, and/or touchscreen movements, motions, and gestures. In particular examples, an overlay provided on top of a tile mechanism provides a user with additional navigation and management options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: MobiTV, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirsten Hunter, Christopher Chan, Vasanth Shenoy, James Collette, Do H. Chung, Allen Billings
  • Publication number: 20170094365
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for character-based and image-based media content search and discovery. Character images or entity images are mapped to corresponding media content. Selection of an image or a portion of an image may trigger or search for corresponding media content or begin playback of relevant media content. Character images or entity images need not correspond to a primary program character or object but may correspond to minor characters or tangential entities depicted periodically on particular programs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: MobiTV, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hinman, Ray DeRenzo, Timothy Chan, Allen Billings, Stephen Coney, David Brubeck
  • Patent number: 9552124
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for character-based and image-based media content search and discovery. Character images or entity images are mapped to corresponding media content. Selection of an image or a portion of an image may trigger or search for corresponding media content or begin playback of relevant media content. Character images or entity images need not correspond to a primary program character or object but may correspond to minor characters or tangential entities depicted periodically on particular programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: MobiTV, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hinman, Ray DeRenzo, Timothy Chan, Allen Billings, Stephen Coney, David Brubeck
  • Patent number: 9277260
    Abstract: Device capabilities, media rights, and content are managed using a convergence platform to allow seamless consumption of content across disparate devices. Media content can be paused on one device having a particular set of capabilities and rights and resumed on a different device having another set of capabilities and rights. A user can play media on a mobile device, continue playing the media on a desktop computer, and subsequently move to a large screen television and capabilities and rights are automatically identified to seamlessly provide the most appropriate authorized content. Personalized media content information can be provided based on maintained information for user playback stoppage events and the user can resume playback of any number of media streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: MobiTV, Inc.
    Inventors: Kay Johansson, Allen Billings
  • Publication number: 20150046821
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for allowing a user to dynamically manage rich media content in an efficient and effective manner. Tiles including media content, personalized video selections, content pack upgrades, and promotions for featured content are presented to a user. Each tile may include calls to view, purchase, discuss, rate, review, or read about associated content. Tiles may be presented as still images, logos, text, or live video. Multiple tiles may be manipulated using keyboard, mouse, touchpad, and/or touchscreen movements, motions, and gestures. In particular examples, an overlay provided on top of a tile mechanism provides a user with additional navigation and management options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: MobiTV, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirsten Hunter, Christopher Chan, Vasanth Shenoy, James Collete, Do H. Chung, Allen Billings
  • Patent number: 8887202
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for allowing a user to dynamically manage rich media content in an efficient and effective manner. Tiles including media content, personalized video selections, content pack upgrades, and promotions for featured content are presented to a user. Each tile may include calls to view, purchase, discuss, rate, review, or read about associated content. Tiles may be presented as still images, logos, text, or live video. Multiple tiles may be manipulated using keyboard, mouse, touchpad, and/or touchscreen movements, motions, and gestures. In particular examples, an overlay provided on top of a tile mechanism provides a user with additional navigation and management options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: MobiTV, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirsten Hunter, Christopher Chan, Vasanth Shenoy, James Collette, Do H. Chung, Allen Billing
  • Publication number: 20130290848
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques and mechanisms for providing a connected multi-screen interface. According to various embodiments, a system may include a media presentation server. The media presentation server may include a processor and memory. The media presentation server may be operable to transmit information for generating a media presentation interface at a plurality of media presentation devices. The media presentation interface may be operable to navigate and display media content. The system may also include a first and a second media presentation device. Each media presentation device may include a processor, memory, and a display screen. Each media presentation device may be operable to generate the media presentation interface based on the information received from the media presentation interface server. The second media presentation device may be operable to update the media presentation interface based on an instruction received from the first media presentation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: MobiTV, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Billings, Kirsten Hunter, Ray De Renzo, Dan Gardner, Michael Treff, Christopher Hall, Tommy Kuntze, Jesse Wang
  • Publication number: 20130290444
    Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms are described herein for providing a connected multi-screen social media application. According to various embodiments, a selection of one of a plurality of media content items available for presentation in association with a content management account may be received. The selected media content item may be presented at a first client machine associated with the content management account. A message may be transmitted to a second client machine associated with the content management account. The message may include an instruction for displaying a social media application at the second client machine. The social media application may facilitate the exchange of user-generated content related to the selected media content item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: MobiTV, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Billings, Kirsten Hunter, Ray De Renzo, Dan Gardner, Michael Treff, Christopher Hall, Tommy Kuntze, Jesse Wang