Patents by Inventor Christopher A. Estes

Christopher A. Estes 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: 11681782
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monetizing the reproduction of digital media content for the rights-holders of the digital media content. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to determining whether a user of a media content item has a license to reproduce the media content item. In one embodiment, the media content item may be reproduced when the user is licensed. The user is prompted to select to acquire a license to reproduce the media content item or to decline the license to reproduce the media content item when the user is not licensed. Further embodiments determine whether a user may receive a license when the user wishes to acquire a license. In an embodiment, the user is declined a license when not approved for the license.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
  • Patent number: 11210370
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monetizing the reproduction of digital media content for the rights-holders of the digital media content. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to determining whether a user of a media content item has a license to reproduce the media content item. In one embodiment, the media content item may be reproduced when the user is licensed. The user is prompted to select to acquire a license to reproduce the media content item or to decline the license to reproduce the media content item when the user is not licensed. Further embodiments determine whether a user may receive a license when the user wishes to acquire a license. In an embodiment, the user is declined a license when not approved for the license.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
  • Patent number: 11210371
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monetizing the reproduction of digital media content for the rights-holders of the digital media content. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to determining whether a user of a media content item has a license to reproduce the media content item. In one embodiment, the media content item may be reproduced when the user is licensed. The user is prompted to select to acquire a license to reproduce the media content item or to decline the license to reproduce the media content item when the user is not licensed. Further embodiments determine whether a user may receive a license when the user wishes to acquire a license. In an embodiment, the user is declined a license when not approved for the license.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
  • Patent number: 10885154
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monetizing the reproduction of digital media content for the rights-holders of the digital media content. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to determining whether a user of a media content item has a license to reproduce the media content item. In one embodiment, the media content item may be reproduced when the user is licensed. The user is prompted to select to acquire a license to reproduce the media content item or to decline the license to reproduce the media content item when the user is not licensed. Further embodiments determine whether a user may receive a license when the user wishes to acquire a license. In an embodiment, the user is declined a license when not approved for the license.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
  • Patent number: 10860691
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monetizing the reproduction of digital media content for the rights-holders of the digital media content. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to determining whether a user of a media content item has a license to reproduce the media content item. In one embodiment, the media content item may be reproduced when the user is licensed. The user is prompted to select to acquire a license to reproduce the media content item or to decline the license to reproduce the media content item when the user is not licensed. Further embodiments determine whether a user may receive a license when the user wishes to acquire a license. In an embodiment, the user is declined a license when not approved for the license.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
  • Patent number: 10657226
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monetizing the reproduction of digital media content for the rights-holders of the digital media content. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to determining whether a user of a media content item has a license to reproduce the media content item. In one embodiment, the media content item may be reproduced when the user is licensed. The user is prompted to select to acquire a license to reproduce the media content item or to decline the license to reproduce the media content item when the user is not licensed. Further embodiments determine whether a user may receive a license when the user wishes to acquire a license. In an embodiment, the user is declined a license when not approved for the license.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Media Chain, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
  • Publication number: 20200154169
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monetizing the reproduction of digital media content for the rights-holders of the digital media content. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to determining whether a user of a media content item has a license to reproduce the media content item. In one embodiment, the media content item may be reproduced when the user is licensed. The user is prompted to select to acquire a license to reproduce the media content item or to decline the license to reproduce the media content item when the user is not licensed. Further embodiments determine whether a user may receive a license when the user wishes to acquire a license. In an embodiment, the user is declined a license when not approved for the license.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
  • Patent number: 10650120
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monetizing the reproduction of digital media content for the rights-holders of the digital media content. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to determining whether a user of a media content item has a license to reproduce the media content item. In one embodiment, the media content item may be reproduced when the user is licensed. The user is prompted to select to acquire a license to reproduce the media content item or to decline the license to reproduce the media content item when the user is not licensed. Further embodiments determine whether a user may receive a license when the user wishes to acquire a license. In an embodiment, the user is declined a license when not approved for the license.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Media Chain, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
  • Publication number: 20200134138
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monetizing the reproduction of digital media content for the rights-holders of the digital media content. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to determining whether a user of a media content item has a license to reproduce the media content item. In one embodiment, the media content item may be reproduced when the user is licensed. The user is prompted to select to acquire a license to reproduce the media content item or to decline the license to reproduce the media content item when the user is not licensed. Further embodiments determine whether a user may receive a license when the user wishes to acquire a license. In an embodiment, the user is declined a license when not approved for the license.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
  • Patent number: 10637281
    Abstract: A solar panel is disclosed that can be daisy-chained with other solar panels. The solar panel automatically generates output alternative current (AC) power that is in parallel with input AC power coming into the solar panel when the solar panel senses the input AC power so that the solar panel operates as a slave in this state. The solar panel automatically generates standalone AC output power when the solar panel fails to detect input AC power coming into the solar panel where the solar panel operates as a master in this state. The solar panel generates the standalone output AC power without any reliance on input AC power generated by a utility grid and/or other AC power sources external to the solar panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
  • Patent number: 10515191
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monetizing the reproduction of digital media content for the rights-holders of the digital media content. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to determining whether a user of a media content item has a license to reproduce the media content item. In one embodiment, the media content item may be reproduced when the user is licensed. The user is prompted to select to acquire a license to reproduce the media content item or to decline the license to reproduce the media content item when the user is not licensed. Further embodiments determine whether a user may receive a license when the user wishes to acquire a license. In an embodiment, the user is declined a license when not approved for the license.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Media Chain, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
  • Patent number: 10489560
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monetizing the reproduction of digital media content for the rights-holders of the digital media content. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to determining whether a user of a media content item has a license to reproduce the media content item. In one embodiment, the media content item may be reproduced when the user is licensed. The user is prompted to select to acquire a license to reproduce the media content item or to decline the license to reproduce the media content item when the user is not licensed. Further embodiments determine whether a user may receive a license when the user wishes to acquire a license. In an embodiment, the user is declined a license when not approved for the license.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Media Chain, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
  • Publication number: 20190034598
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monetizing the reproduction of digital media content for the rights-holders of the digital media content. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to determining whether a user of a media content item has a license to reproduce the media content item. In one embodiment, the media content item may be reproduced when the user is licensed. The user is prompted to select to acquire a license to reproduce the media content item or to decline the license to reproduce the media content item when the user is not licensed. Further embodiments determine whether a user may receive a license when the user wishes to acquire a license. In an embodiment, the user is declined a license when not approved for the license.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
  • Publication number: 20190034599
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monetizing the reproduction of digital media content for the rights-holders of the digital media content. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to determining whether a user of a media content item has a license to reproduce the media content item. In one embodiment, the media content item may be reproduced when the user is licensed. The user is prompted to select to acquire a license to reproduce the media content item or to decline the license to reproduce the media content item when the user is not licensed. Further embodiments determine whether a user may receive a license when the user wishes to acquire a license. In an embodiment, the user is declined a license when not approved for the license.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
  • Publication number: 20190005204
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monetizing the reproduction of digital media content for the rights-holders of the digital media content. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to determining whether a user of a media content item has a license to reproduce the media content item. In one embodiment, the media content item may be reproduced when the user is licensed. The user is prompted to select to acquire a license to reproduce the media content item or to decline the license to reproduce the media content item when the user is not licensed. Further embodiments determine whether a user may receive a license when the user wishes to acquire a license. In an embodiment, the user is declined a license when not approved for the license.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
  • Patent number: 10122320
    Abstract: A solar panel is disclosed that detects conditions triggered by operational events and then selects behavioral actions for the solar panel to execute in response to the operational events. Condition detection devices detect conditions that the solar panel is exposed to where each condition is triggered by an operational event that the solar panel is encountering. The condition detection devices generate condition data that provides information as to each of the conditions that the solar panel is exposed to and each operational event that triggered each of the conditions that the solar panel is encountering. A personality engine analyzes the condition data provided by the condition detection devices to determine a behavioral action that the solar panel is to execute in response to each operational event that the solar panel is encountering and executes the determined behavioral action to respond to each operational event that the solar panel is encountering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
  • Patent number: 10116394
    Abstract: Disclosed systems and methods transmit and receive data encoded as optical signals that include a progression of symbols, with each symbol represented as a combination of light frequencies. Light is used as the carrier medium to limit reception to devices that are within visible range of the transmitting device. No mapping of data to symbols is required for generation of the symbol progression by the transmitter and no mapping of symbols to data for recognition of the symbols is required by the receiver. Disclosed embodiments allow arbitrary selection among a plurality of mappings between symbols sent and symbols received. Embodiments are robust to: ambient lighting conditions, differences in optical and temporal response of the first and second devices, and differences in relative orientation between the first and second devices. Embodiments enable a variety of functions including device discovery, feature discovery, beacon identification, status reporting, error readout, key exchange, and authentication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher A. Estes, Jeffrey Stuart Urban
  • Publication number: 20180307808
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monetizing the reproduction of digital media content for the rights-holders of the digital media content. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to determining whether a user of a media content item has a license to reproduce the media content item. In one embodiment, the media content item may be reproduced when the user is licensed. The user is prompted to select to acquire a license to reproduce the media content item or to decline the license to reproduce the media content item when the user is not licensed. Further embodiments determine whether a user may receive a license when the user wishes to acquire a license. In an embodiment, the user is declined a license when not approved for the license.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
  • Publication number: 20180248402
    Abstract: A solar panel is disclosed that can be daisy-chained with other solar panels. The solar panel automatically generates output alternative current (AC) power that is in parallel with input AC power coming into the solar panel when the solar panel senses the input AC power so that the solar panel operates as a slave in this state. The solar panel automatically generates standalone AC output power when the solar panel fails to detect input AC power coming into the solar panel where the solar panel operates as a master in this state. The solar panel generates the standalone output AC power without any reliance on input AC power generated by a utility grid and/or other AC power sources external to the solar panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: Solpad, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
  • Patent number: 9973005
    Abstract: A power controller assembly is disclosed that transfers alternating current (AC) power generated by solar panels to devices coupled to the power controller assembly. The power controller assembly includes a power connector assembly that is coupled to an AC power outlet and transfers AC power generated by the solar panels from the AC power outlet to a power cord that is coupled to the power controller configuration. The power cord transfers the AC power to the device that consumes the AC power. The power controller assembly also includes an outlet power controller that controls the device that consumes the AC power based on instructions received from a communications device via wireless communication between the outlet power controller and the communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Christopher A. Estes