Patents by Inventor Charles Robertson

Charles Robertson 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: 20240348669
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing synchronous transmission of streaming media are disclosed. One method may include: receiving, from a first user device associated with a first user, a request to invite a second user to a virtual media streaming session; retrieving, from the at least one database, a second user profile, the second user profile identifying a second user device associated with the second user; transmitting, subsequent to the retrieving, instructions to the second user device to present a notification alerting the second user of the request; determining, using a processor, whether a response accepting the request is detected from the second user device; and connecting, responsive to determining that the response accepting the request was detected, the second user profile to the virtual media streaming session; wherein multimedia content presented in the virtual media streaming session is simultaneously viewable on the first user device and the second user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Inventors: Brian F. ROBERTS, Chad PELTOLA, Charles ROBERTSON
  • Patent number: 12109498
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing one or more game features across devices associated with a synchronous multimedia stream are disclosed. One method may include: establishing, on the server, a virtual media streaming session; connecting two or more user profiles of a media streaming platform to the virtual media streaming session; providing, in the virtual media streaming session, an article of multimedia content, wherein the article of multimedia content is simultaneously viewable on user devices associated with each of the two or more user profiles; determining, using a processor associated with the server, whether one or more interactive game features associated with the article of multimedia content are activated; and implementing, responsive to determining that the one or more interactive game features are activated, aspects associated with the one or more interactive game features in the virtual media streaming session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Discovery.com, LLC
    Inventors: Brian F. Roberts, Chad Peltola, Charles Robertson
  • Patent number: 12064063
    Abstract: Some sheet product dispensers disclosed herein are configured to dispense from a sheet product roll that includes a plurality of predetermined portions that are designed for providing a toilet seat cover. A line of perforations separates consecutive portions. A motor operates to drive the drive roller to cause movement of the sheet product along a dispensing pathway to position a leading predetermined portion of the sheet product into a dispensing position such that the trailing edge of the leading predetermined portion is positioned within the housing and the leading edge of the leading predetermined portion is positioned outside the dispensing chute to enable removal of the leading predetermined portion. Staged dispensing is utilized to help maintain hygiene, while still quickly providing the dispense. Perforation tear assist features are provided to aid in proper separation of the line of perforations, such as to help maintain integrity of the dispensed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Bartman, John Patrick Laitala, John William Grosz, Jr., Timothy Andrew Robertson, Ted Allen Casper, Jacob Charles Dahl
  • Patent number: 12053791
    Abstract: An irrigation nozzle is provided with a grit diversion feature to divert grit away from the interior of the nozzle. The nozzle includes a pattern template that defines the irrigation pattern produced by the nozzle. The pattern template includes one or more flow channels that may be susceptible to clogging with grit. The grit diversion feature includes one or more grit vents to redirect grit away from the interior of the nozzle and may further include an inner wall about the central hub that helps protect the central hub from intrusion by grit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: David Charles Belongia, David Eugene Robertson
  • Patent number: 12047427
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing synchronous transmission of streaming media are disclosed. One method may include: receiving, from a first user device associated with a first user, a request to invite a second user to a virtual media streaming session; retrieving, from the at least one database, a second user profile, the second user profile identifying a second user device associated with the second user; transmitting, subsequent to the retrieving, instructions to the second user device to present a notification alerting the second user of the request; determining, using a processor, whether a response accepting the request is detected from the second user device; and connecting, responsive to determining that the response accepting the request was detected, the second user profile to the virtual media streaming session; wherein multimedia content presented in the virtual media streaming session is simultaneously viewable on the first user device and the second user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Discovery.com, LLC
    Inventors: Brian F. Roberts, Chad Peltola, Charles Robertson
  • Publication number: 20240237896
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ophthalmoscope (10) configured to acquire video of an eye. The ophthalmoscope (10) comprises a light source, an imaging apparatus (20), and a processor. The light source emits a beam of non-coherent light which in use impinges on the eye. The imaging apparatus (20) acquires plural images of at least part of the eye, each of the plural images acquired when non-coherent light from the light source impinges on the eye. The processor is configured to at least one of: control the imaging apparatus (20) such that time adjacent images are acquired with a predetermined period therebetween; and record a time of acquisition of each of a plurality of the plural images and to associate each time of acquisition with the respective image. The acquired plural images are thus related in time to one another and thereby constitute video of the eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Inventors: Craig ROBERTSON, Derek RODGER, Charles WARDROP, Ian MURRAY, Philip BENSON, Robert HENDERSON
  • Publication number: 20240119085
    Abstract: Systems and methods for constructing an itinerary for a user based on articles of multimedia content are disclosed. One computer-implemented method may include: receiving, at the server and from a user device hosting a media streaming platform, an indication of selection by a user of a travel option associated with an aspect featured in an article of multimedia content presented on the media streaming platform; identifying, based on the receiving, a real-world location of the aspect; ascertaining, by the server, contextual information associated with the user; establishing, based on the real-world location of the aspect and the contextual information associated with the user, the itinerary for travel to the aspect; and presenting, subsequent to the establishing, a visual display of the itinerary on the media-streaming platform. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Brian F. ROBERTS, Chad PELTOLA, Jill MULLIGAN, Charles ROBERTSON, Kyle JACKSON, Enrique FLORENDO
  • Publication number: 20240114188
    Abstract: Systems and methods for apprising a user of a proximately located aspect-of-interest are disclosed. One method may include: receiving an indication of a geographic location associated with the user; identifying an aspect associated with a multimedia content interest of the user; determining whether the geographic location associated is within a predetermined distance to a known location the aspect associated with the multimedia content interest; transmitting, responsive to determining that the geographic location is within the predetermined distance to the known location, instructions to a user device associated with the user to provide a notification to the user; receiving, at the server, another indication that the user has provided interaction input to the notification; and transmitting additional instructions to another device to perform an action that is based on the interaction input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Brian F. ROBERTS, Chad PELTOLA, Jill MULLIGAN, Charles ROBERTSON, Kyle JACKSON, Enrique FLORENDO
  • Publication number: 20240112215
    Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing rewards based on user actions performed in association with multimedia content are disclosed. One computer-implemented method may include: receiving, at the server, an indication of a real-world action performed by a user; identifying, by the server, that the real-world action corresponds to a rewards-based action performed in association with an article of multimedia content present on a media-streaming platform, wherein the rewards-based action at least corresponds to visitation to a geographic location associated with an aspect of the article of multimedia content; determining, by the server, whether performance of the rewards-based action necessitates distribution of a reward to the user, ascertaining, subsequent to determining that performance of the rewards-based action does necessitate distribution of the reward to the user, a type of the reward; and distributing, based on the ascertaining, the reward of the ascertained type to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Brian F. ROBERTS, Chad PELTOLA, Jill MULLIGAN, Charles ROBERTSON, Kyle JACKSON, Enrique FLORENDO
  • Publication number: 20240015366
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interacting with an enhanced live multimedia stream are disclosed. One method may include: presenting a plurality of live media streaming options, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of live media streaming options comprise one or more features enabling enhanced interaction between users; receiving an indication to join a general virtual media streaming session associated with one of the subset; retrieving a first user profile associated with a first user; connecting the first user profile to the general virtual media streaming session; transmitting, to the first user device via a multimedia streaming platform, the live multimedia stream playing in the virtual media streaming session; identifying one or more points in the live multimedia stream at which to implement the one or more features enabling enhanced interaction between users; and implementing at least one of the one or more features in the virtual media streaming session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: Discovery.com, LLC
    Inventors: Brian F. ROBERTS, Chad PELTOLA, Charles ROBERTSON
  • Patent number: 11856251
    Abstract: Systems and methods for apprising a user of a proximately located aspect-of-interest are disclosed. One method may include: receiving an indication of a geographic location associated with the user; identifying an aspect associated with a multimedia content interest of the user; determining whether the geographic location associated is within a predetermined distance to a known location the aspect associated with the multimedia content interest; transmitting, responsive to determining that the geographic location is within the predetermined distance to the known location, instructions to a user device associated with the user to provide a notification to the user; receiving, at the server, another indication that the user has provided interaction input to the notification; and transmitting additional instructions to another device to perform an action that is based on the interaction input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: DISCOVERY.COM, LLC
    Inventors: Brian F. Roberts, Chad Peltola, Jill Mulligan, Charles Robertson, Kyle Jackson, Enrique Florendo
  • Patent number: 11822593
    Abstract: Systems and methods for constructing an itinerary for a user based on articles of multimedia content are disclosed. One computer-implemented method may include: receiving, at the server and from a user device hosting a media streaming platform, an indication of selection by a user of a travel option associated with an aspect featured in an article of multimedia content presented on the media streaming platform; identifying, based on the receiving, a real-world location of the aspect; ascertaining, by the server, contextual information associated with the user; establishing, based on the real-world location of the aspect and the contextual information associated with the user, the itinerary for travel to the aspect; and presenting, subsequent to the establishing, a visual display of the itinerary on the media-streaming platform. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: DISCOVERY.COM, LLC
    Inventors: Brian F. Roberts, Chad Peltola, Jill Mulligan, Charles Robertson, Kyle Jackson, Enrique Florendo
  • Publication number: 20230328119
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing synchronous transmission of streaming media are disclosed. One method may include: receiving, from a first user device associated with a first user, a request to invite a second user to a virtual media streaming session; retrieving, from the at least one database, a second user profile, the second user profile identifying a second user device associated with the second user; transmitting, subsequent to the retrieving, instructions to the second user device to present a notification alerting the second user of the request; determining, using a processor, whether a response accepting the request is detected from the second user device; and connecting, responsive to determining that the response accepting the request was detected, the second user profile to the virtual media streaming session; wherein multimedia content presented in the virtual media streaming session is simultaneously viewable on the first user device and the second user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Brian F. ROBERTS, Chad PELTOLA, Charles ROBERTSON
  • Publication number: 20230321549
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing one or more game features across devices associated with a synchronous multimedia stream are disclosed. One method may include: establishing, on the server, a virtual media streaming session; connecting two or more user profiles of a media streaming platform to the virtual media streaming session; providing, in the virtual media streaming session, an article of multimedia content, wherein the article of multimedia content is simultaneously viewable on user devices associated with each of the two or more user profiles; determining, using a processor associated with the server, whether one or more interactive game features associated with the article of multimedia content are activated; and implementing, responsive to determining that the one or more interactive game features are activated, aspects associated with the one or more interactive game features in the virtual media streaming session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Brian F. ROBERTS, Chad PELTOLA, Charles ROBERTSON
  • Patent number: 11785307
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interacting with an enhanced live multimedia stream are disclosed. One method may include: presenting a plurality of live media streaming options, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of live media streaming options comprise one or more features enabling enhanced interaction between users; receiving an indication to join a general virtual media streaming session associated with one of the subset; retrieving a first user profile associated with a first user; connecting the first user profile to the general virtual media streaming session; transmitting, to the first user device via a multimedia streaming platform, the live multimedia stream playing in the virtual media streaming session; identifying one or more points in the live multimedia stream at which to implement the one or more features enabling enhanced interaction between users; and implementing at least one of the one or more features in the virtual media streaming session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: DISCOVERY.COM, LLC
    Inventors: Brian F. Roberts, Chad Peltola, Charles Robertson
  • Patent number: 11678773
    Abstract: A shower seat includes a frame having a first wall mount, a second wall mount spaced from the first wall mount, a rear support secured to and extending between the first and second wall mounts, a first rear leg, a second rear leg spaced from the first rear leg, a first side support, a second side support spaced from the first side support, a first front leg, and a second front leg spaced from the first front leg. The first and second wall mounts are configured to secure the frame to a wall. The first and second side supports are rotatable relative to the first and second wall mounts and the rear support. A seat is secured to the frame, with the frame configured to move the seat between a use position and a stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Elcoma Metal Fabricating and Sales, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Robertson
  • Patent number: 11607617
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing one or more game features across devices associated with a synchronous multimedia stream are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: DISCOVERY.COM, LLC
    Inventors: Brian F. Roberts, Chad Peltola, Charles Robertson
  • Patent number: 11604057
    Abstract: A calibration device comprising: a plurality of magnetic sensors positioned at the calibration device, the plurality of magnetic sensors defining a space; a controller configured to be positioned in the space defined by the plurality of magnetic sensors, wherein the controller includes a magnetic transmitter; and one or more processors configured to: cause the magnetic transmitter to generate magnetic fields; receive signals from the plurality of magnetic sensors that are based on characteristics of the magnetic fields received at the plurality of magnetic sensors; calculate, based on the signals received from the plurality of magnetic sensors, positions and orientations of the plurality of magnetic sensors relative to a position and orientation of the magnetic transmitter; and determine whether the calculated positions and orientations of the plurality of magnetic sensors are within one or more threshold limits of known positions and orientations of the plurality of magnetic sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Northern Digital Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Robert Schneider, Charles Robertson, Joseph Bruce Durfee
  • Patent number: 11570218
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing synchronous transmission of streaming media are disclosed. One method may include: receiving, from a first user device associated with a first user, a request to invite a second user to a virtual media streaming session; retrieving, from the at least one database, a second user profile, the second user profile identifying a second user device associated with the second user; transmitting, subsequent to the retrieving, instructions to the second user device to present a notification alerting the second user of the request; determining, using a processor, whether a response accepting the request is detected from the second user device; and connecting, responsive to determining that the response accepting the request was detected, the second user profile to the virtual media streaming session; wherein multimedia content presented in the virtual media streaming session is simultaneously viewable on the first user device and the second user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Discovery.com, LLC
    Inventors: Brian F. Roberts, Chad Peltola, Charles Robertson
  • Patent number: 11493318
    Abstract: A calibration device comprising: a plurality of magnetic sensors positioned at the calibration device, the plurality of magnetic sensors defining a space; a controller configured to be positioned in the space defined by the plurality of magnetic sensors, wherein the controller includes a magnetic transmitter; and one or more processors configured to: cause the magnetic transmitter to generate magnetic fields; receive signals from the plurality of magnetic sensors that are based on characteristics of the magnetic fields received at the plurality of magnetic sensors; calculate, based on the signals received from the plurality of magnetic sensors, positions and orientations of the plurality of magnetic sensors relative to a position and orientation of the magnetic transmitter; and determine whether the calculated positions and orientations of the plurality of magnetic sensors are within one or more threshold limits of known positions and orientations of the plurality of magnetic sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Northern Digital, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Robert Schneider, Charles Robertson, Joseph Bruce Durfee