Patents by Inventor Christopher L. Flick

Christopher L. Flick 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: 20260156239
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for addressing “stereoscopic window violations” in stereoscopic multimedia content. Stereoscopic window violations result in the stereoscopic effect becoming “broken” for the viewer and may occur, e.g., when the left and right stereo eye views in the stereoscopic content are mismatched. Stereoscopic mismatch often occurs at the edges of the left and right eye video image frames (wherein, e.g., a depicted shape may become cut off for a left eye view but not a corresponding right eye view). According to the techniques disclosed herein, rather than permanently masking or otherwise editing the stereoscopic video content to account for any window violations, accompanying stereoscopic window violation metadata information may be generated for the stereoscopic video, which may be used to define a particular geometry for each left and right eye video image frame pair, and used at playback time to crop, mask, or otherwise modify the video image frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2026
    Publication date: June 4, 2026
    Inventors: Christopher L. Flick, Timothy K. Dashwood
  • Publication number: 20260073935
    Abstract: A device may include a camera, one or more microphones, and one or more processors. The device can receive a video signal of a scene being produced by a camera and an audio signal of the scene being produced by the one or more microphones. While capturing a video recording, the device can digitally process the audio signal to determine that a first segment of the audio signal is in a first sound class and a second segment of the audio signal is in a second sound class and determine a plurality of features of the audio signal based on the segments and sound classes. After capturing the video recording, the device can generate metadata based on the plurality of features and store a video container comprising the video signal, the audio signal, and the metadata. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2025
    Publication date: March 12, 2026
    Inventors: Joshua D. Atkins, Christopher L. Flick, Lasse Vetter, Symeon Delikaris Manias, Stephen J. Nimick, Majid Mirbagheri, Shadi Pir Hosseinloo
  • Publication number: 20260075306
    Abstract: A device may include a front camera, a rear camera, one or more microphones, and one or more processors. The device can receive a front video signal from the front camera, a rear video signal from the rear camera, and an audio signal from the one or more microphones. The device can digitally process the audio signal to identify voices of persons captured in a fields of view of the cameras, and ambient sounds of sound sources outside of the fields of view. The device can generate an audio track to enable an audio renderer to render the voices, and selectively attenuate the ambient sounds, during playback of the front video signal and the rear video signal concurrently. The device can store a video container including the front video signal, the rear video signal, and the audio track. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2025
    Publication date: March 12, 2026
    Inventors: Joshua D. Atkins, Christopher L. Flick, Lasse Vetter, Symeon Delikaris Manias, Stephen J. Nimick, Majid Mirbagheri, Shadi Pir Hosseinloo
  • Patent number: 12556679
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for addressing “stereoscopic window violations” in stereoscopic multimedia content. Stereoscopic window violations result in the stereoscopic effect becoming “broken” for the viewer and may occur, e.g., when the left and right stereo eye views in the stereoscopic content are mismatched. Stereoscopic mismatch often occurs at the edges of the left and right eye video image frames (wherein, e.g., a depicted shape may become cut off for a left eye view but not a corresponding right eye view). According to the techniques disclosed herein, rather than permanently masking or otherwise editing the stereoscopic video content to account for any window violations, accompanying stereoscopic window violation metadata information may be generated for the stereoscopic video, which may be used to define a particular geometry for each left and right eye video image frame pair, and used at playback time to crop, mask, or otherwise modify the video image frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Flick, Timothy K. Dashwood
  • Publication number: 20240107000
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for addressing “stereoscopic window violations” in stereoscopic multimedia content. Stereoscopic window violations result in the stereoscopic effect becoming “broken” for the viewer and may occur, e.g., when the left and right stereo eye views in the stereoscopic content are mismatched. Stereoscopic mismatch often occurs at the edges of the left and right eye video image frames (wherein, e.g., a depicted shape may become cut off for a left eye view but not a corresponding right eye view). According to the techniques disclosed herein, rather than permanently masking or otherwise editing the stereoscopic video content to account for any window violations, accompanying stereoscopic window violation metadata information may be generated for the stereoscopic video, which may be used to define a particular geometry for each left and right eye video image frame pair, and used at playback time to crop, mask, or otherwise modify the video image frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Christopher L. Flick, Timothy K. Dashwood
  • Publication number: 20240029351
    Abstract: Improved media processing techniques includes media data formats with a “convenience” sample having both a snapshot and a delta description of a scene at the same media time. In other examples, improved media processing techniques include creating a temporary media sample having a merged snapshot or a merged delta in a context of a pre-render thread to improve performance of rendering performed in a context of a separate rendering thread.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: David J. ADDEY, Alessandro ANGELI, Shalini SAHOO, Christopher L. FLICK, John Samuel BUSHELL, Yi ZHOU, Courtland M. IDSTROM
  • Patent number: 10733146
    Abstract: An encoding system may include a metadata manager, a key manager, and an encoder. The metadata manager may interface with one or more metadata sources to determine whether to include a metadata item from the one or more metadata sources. The key manager may determine whether the metadata item can be represented using one of already-allocated keys or an inline key must be used to represent the metadata item. The encoder may encode the metadata. If an inline key must be used to represent the metadata item, the encoder may associate the inline key and the type of the metadata item to the media file, and the encoder may encode the metadata item using the inline key in the media file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher L. Flick
  • Patent number: 10277927
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improved video formats used in delivery and playback are presented. According to an embodiment, the movie package format contains tiers that provide for multiple sets of movie variations that are individually selectable for transfer to a device for local playback. A locally stored movie package may contain any subset of available tiers for a movie. Non-resident tiers can be discovered and downloaded into the movie package as needed or when available. Tiers, and other movie files may be updated or added to the movie package at any time. Then users can request updates or the updates can be pushed to the user without affecting the previously downloaded files.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michel A. Rynderman, Christopher L. Flick
  • Publication number: 20180295398
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improved video formats used in delivery and playback are presented. According to an embodiment, the movie package format contains tiers that provide for multiple sets of movie variations that are individually selectable for transfer to a device for local playback. A locally stored movie package may contain any subset of available tiers for a movie. Non-resident tiers can be discovered and downloaded into the movie package as needed or when available. Tiers, and other movie files may be updated or added to the movie package at any time. Then users can request updates or the updates can be pushed to the user without affecting the previously downloaded files.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Michel A. Rynderman, Christopher L. Flick
  • Patent number: 10070174
    Abstract: System and methods for storing streamed media data to memory for future playback are provided. A device may stream media data associated with a movie over a network connection. The data streamed to the device will be saved to device memory and will then be playable offline. A manifest associated with the media data will be downloaded to the device and modified to reflect the location of the locally stored media data. During subsequent playback of the media data, the manifest will indicate that at least a portion of the media data exists in local memory. Some portions of the media data not stored locally may be subsequently retrieved from a remote source. The stored data may be updated or added to as necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Flick, Courtney A. Kennedy, David L. Biderman, John Y. Su, Jordan B. Schneider, Michel A. Rynderman, Roger N. Pantos
  • Patent number: 10021434
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improved video formats used in delivery and playback are presented. According to an embodiment, the movie package format contains tiers that provide for multiple sets of movie variations that are individually selectable for transfer to a device for local playback. A locally stored movie package may contain any subset of available tiers for a movie. Non-resident tiers can be discovered and downloaded into the movie package as needed or when available. Tiers, and other movie files may be updated or added to the movie package at any time. Then users can request updates or the updates can be pushed to the user without affecting the previously downloaded files.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michel A. Rynderman, Christopher L. Flick
  • Publication number: 20160360265
    Abstract: System and methods for storing streamed media data to memory for future playback are provided. A device may stream media data associated with a movie over a network connection. The data streamed to the device will be saved to device memory and will then be playable offline. A manifest associated with the media data will be downloaded to the device and modified to reflect the location of the locally stored media data. During subsequent playback of the media data, the manifest will indicate that at least a portion of the media data exists in local memory. Some portions of the media data not stored locally may be subsequently retrieved from a remote source. The stored data may be updated or added to as necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher L. Flick, Courtney A. Kennedy, David L. Biderman, John Y. Su, Jordan B. Schneider, Michel A. Rynderman, Roger N. Pantos
  • Publication number: 20160092461
    Abstract: An encoding system may include a metadata manager, a key manager, and an encoder. The metadata manager may interface with one or more metadata sources to determine whether to include a metadata item from the one or more metadata sources. The key manager may determine whether the metadata item can be represented using one of already-allocated keys or an inline key must be used to represent the metadata item. The encoder may encode the metadata. If an inline key must be used to represent the metadata item, the encoder may associate the inline key and the type of the metadata item to the media file, and the encoder may encode the metadata item using the inline key in the media file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Christopher L. Flick
  • Publication number: 20150350703
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improved video formats used in delivery and playback are presented. According to an embodiment, the movie package format contains tiers that provide for multiple sets of movie variations that are individually selectable for transfer to a device for local playback. A locally stored movie package may contain any subset of available tiers for a movie. Non-resident tiers can be discovered and downloaded into the movie package as needed or when available. Tiers, and other movie files may be updated or added to the movie package at any time. Then users can request updates or the updates can be pushed to the user without affecting the previously downloaded files.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Michel A. Rynderman, Christopher L. Flick
  • Patent number: 8694670
    Abstract: Techniques are described for synchronizing multiple time-based data streams with independent clocks wherein relationships between clock rates of timing devices associated with the time-based data streams are determined, and based on these relationships, times in at least one of the time-based data streams may be translated to times in any of the other time-based data streams despite the data streams having independent clocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Batson, John S. Bushell, Gregory R. Chapman, Christopher L. Flick
  • Patent number: 8434028
    Abstract: System and method for integrating media objects for viewing on and manipulation via a computing device such as a personal computer. The system and method may be provided via an application program interface (API) which provides functions that allow an application program to create a scene and add media objects to the scene. The method includes preparing a translation vector and a rotation matrix for each of the media objects to define an orientation and a location of each of the media objects in the scene. The scene including the media objects is displayed. An interface is provided so that a user may manipulate the scene and the objects therein. The system and method may be implemented on a personal computer or other computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaochun Nie, Christopher L. Flick
  • Patent number: 8316147
    Abstract: Techniques are described for synchronizing multiple time-based data streams with independent clocks wherein relationships between clock rates of timing devices associated with the time-based data streams are determined, and based on these relationships, times in at least one of the time-based data streams may be translated to times in any of the other time-based data streams despite the data streams having independent clocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Batson, John S. Bushell, Gregory R. Chapman, Christopher L. Flick
  • Patent number: 7954057
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for compressing and/or transmitting and/or receiving data representing different views of an object. In one method according to the present invention, the method stores a plurality of frames of an object wherein each of these frames represents a view of the object. The method then assigns a reference number to each of these frames, arranges these frames in a preferred layout, divides the preferred layout into a plurality of blocks having frames sharing spatial similarities, and compresses each of these blocks separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaochun Nie, Christopher L. Flick
  • Publication number: 20100257396
    Abstract: Techniques are described for synchronizing multiple time-based data streams with independent clocks wherein relationships between clock rates of timing devices associated with the time-based data streams are determined, and based on these relationships, times in at least one of the time-based data streams may be translated to times in any of the other time-based data streams despite the data streams having independent clocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: James D. Batson, John S. Bushell, Gregory R. Chapman, Christopher L. Flick
  • Patent number: 7765315
    Abstract: Techniques are described for synchronizing multiple time-based data streams with independent clocks wherein relationships between clock rates of timing devices associated with the time-based data streams are determined, and based on these relationships, times in at least one of the time-based data streams may be translated to times in any of the other time-based data streams despite the data streams having independent clocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Batson, John S. Bushell, Gregory R. Chapman, Christopher L. Flick