Patents by Inventor Christopher M. Tobin
Christopher M. Tobin 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).
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Patent number: 9852442Abstract: A method an apparatus is provided for providing selected media files, which are chosen from among a plurality of media files, to a user over a packet-switched network such as the Internet. The method begins by receiving over the packet-switched network a request from the user to receive media content. Next, a user profile associated with the user is retrieved from a database. The user profile reflects user preferences in media content to be received over the packet-switched network. The plurality of media files are ranked based at least in part on the user profile. At least one highly ranked media file is selected from among the ranked plurality of media files. At least one of the highly ranked media files is forwarded to the user over the packet-switched network.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2016Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.Inventors: Brian M. Siegel, Philip M. Abram, Marc Beckwitt, Gregory D. Gudorf, Kazuaki Iso, Brian Raymond, Christopher M. Tobin
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Patent number: 9842350Abstract: A method an apparatus is provided for providing selected media files, which are chosen from among a plurality of media files, to a user over a packet-switched network such as the Internet. The method begins by receiving over the packet-switched network a request from the user to receive media content. Next, a user profile associated with the user is retrieved from a database. The user profile reflects user preferences in media content to be received over the packet-switched network. The plurality of media files are ranked based at least in part on the user profile. At least one highly ranked media file is selected from among the ranked plurality of media files. At least one of the highly ranked media files is forwarded to the user over the packet-switched network.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2015Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Brian M. Siegel, Philip M. Abram, Marc Beckwitt, Gregory D. Gudorf, Kazuaki Iso, Brian Raymond, Christopher M. Tobin
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Publication number: 20150317677Abstract: A method an apparatus is provided for providing selected media files, which are chosen from among a plurality of media files, to a user over a packet-switched network such as the Internet. The method begins by receiving over the packet-switched network a request from the user to receive media content. Next, a user profile associated with the user is retrieved from a database. The user profile reflects user preferences in media content to be received over the packet-switched network. The plurality of media files are ranked based at least in part on the user profile. At least one highly ranked media file is selected from among the ranked plurality of media files. At least one of the highly ranked media files is forwarded to the user over the packet-switched network.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2015Publication date: November 5, 2015Inventors: Brian M. SIEGEL, Philip M. ABRAM, Marc BECKWITT, Gregory D. GUDORF, Kazuaki ISO, Brian RAYMOND, Christopher M. TOBIN
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Publication number: 20140074775Abstract: A method an apparatus is provided for providing selected media files, which are chosen from among a plurality of media files, to a user over a packet-switched network such as the Internet. The method begins by receiving over the packet- switched network a request from the user to receive media content. Next, a user profile associated with the user is retrieved from a database. The user profile reflects user preferences in media content to be received over the packet-switched network. The plurality of media files are ranked based at least in part on the user profile. At least one highly ranked media file is selected from among the ranked plurality of media files. At least one of the highly ranked media files is forwarded to the user over the packet-switched network.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicants: Sony Electronics Inc., Sony CorporationInventors: Brian M. Siegel, Philip M. Abram, Marc Beckwitt, Gregory D. Gudorf, Kazuaki Iso, Brian Raymond, Christopher M. Tobin
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Patent number: 8589476Abstract: A method an apparatus is provided for providing selected media files, which are chosen from among a plurality of media files, to a user over a packet-switched network such as the Internet. The method begins by receiving over the packet-switched network a request from the user to receive media content. Next, a user profile associated with the user is retrieved from a database. The user profile reflects user preferences in media content to be received over the packet-switched network. The plurality of media files are ranked based at least in part on the user profile. At least one highly ranked media file is selected from among the ranked plurality of media files. At least one of the highly ranked media files is forwarded to the user over the packet-switched network.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2010Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Brian M. Siegel, Philip M. Abram, Marc Beckwitt, Gregory D. Gudorf, Kazuaki Iso, Brian Raymond, Christopher M. Tobin
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Patent number: 8286256Abstract: A system, method, and user device for restricting access to the content of media over a network. Biometric information is collected and compared against pre-stored biometric information of a user to authenticate the identity of the user. The user then requests access to the content of a medium. Access is permitted to the requested content if the content is identified as content, or indicia identifying the content, that the user previously uploaded to the server. Access is denied to the requested content if the content is not identified as content, or indicia identifying the content, that the user previously uploaded to the server.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2008Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.Inventors: Brian Siegel, Philip Michael Abram, Marc Beckwitt, Gregory D. Gudorf, Kazuaki Iso, Brian Raymond, Christopher M. Tobin
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Patent number: 8150782Abstract: For possible use in an electronic content distribution system, automatic recognition of compact discs or other storage media containing particular content, and corresponding account crediting is described. In an electronic content distribution system, such as those providing music available by digital downloading or streaming technologies, a user may ordinarily pay a full price to receive the music. A user who possesses and apparently owns a compact disc containing particular content can be conveniently offered a discount or credit usable towards the purchase of the analogous particular content in a form provided by the electronic content distribution system. Preferably, compact discs are uniquely identified by determining whether their digital fingerprint matches a known reference fingerprint for a compact disc containing the particular content.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2011Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Music Entertainment Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Tobin, Adrienne Lalla
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Publication number: 20110295676Abstract: For possible use in an electronic content distribution system, automatic recognition of compact discs or other storage media containing particular content, and corresponding account crediting is described. In an electronic content distribution system, such as those providing music available by digital downloading or streaming technologies, a user may ordinarily pay a full price to receive the music. A user who possesses and apparently owns a compact disc containing particular content can be conveniently offered a discount or credit usable towards the purchase of the analogous particular content in a form provided by the electronic content distribution system. Preferably, compact discs are uniquely identified by determining whether their digital fingerprint matches a known reference fingerprint for a compact disc containing the particular content.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2011Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicants: SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT INC., SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Christopher M. Tobin, Adrienne Lalla
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Patent number: 7996334Abstract: For possible use in an electronic content distribution system, automatic recognition of compact discs or other storage media containing particular content, and corresponding account crediting is described. In an electronic content distribution system, such as those providing music available by digital downloading or streaming technologies, a user may ordinarily pay a full price to receive the music. A user who possesses and apparently owns a compact disc containing particular content can be conveniently offered a discount or credit usable towards the purchase of the analogous particular content in a form provided by the electronic content distribution system. Preferably, compact discs are uniquely identified by determining whether their digital fingerprint matches a known reference fingerprint for a compact disc containing the particular content.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2007Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Music Entertainment Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Tobin, Adrienne Lalla
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Publication number: 20100217800Abstract: A method an apparatus is provided for providing selected media files, which are chosen from among a plurality of media files, to a user over a packet-switched network such as the Internet. The method begins by receiving over the packet-switched network a request from the user to receive media content. Next, a user profile associated with the user is retrieved from a database. The user profile reflects user preferences in media content to be received over the packet-switched network. The plurality of media files are ranked based at least in part on the user profile. At least one highly ranked media file is selected from among the ranked plurality of media files. At least one of the highly ranked media files is forwarded to the user over the packet-switched network.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2010Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicants: SONY CORPORATION, SONY ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Brian M. Siegel, Philip M. Abram, Marc Beckwitt, Gregory D. Gudorf, Kazuaki Iso, Brian Raymond, Christopher M. Tobin
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Patent number: 7739335Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for providing selected media files, which are chosen from among a plurality of media files, to a user over a packet-switched network such as the Internet. The method begins by receiving over the packet-switched network a request from the user to receive media content. Next, a user profile associated with the user is retrieved from a database. The user profile reflects user preferences in media content to be received over the packet-switched network. The plurality of media files are ranked based at least in part on the user profile. At least one highly ranked media file is selected from among the ranked plurality of media files. At least one of the highly ranked media files is forwarded to the user over the packet-switched network.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2001Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.Inventors: Brian M. Siegel, Philip M. Abram, Marc Beckwitt, Gregory D. Gudorf, Kazuaki Iso, Brian Raymond, Christopher M. Tobin
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Publication number: 20090113529Abstract: A system, method, and user device for restricting access to the content of media over a network. Biometric information is collected and compared against pre-stored biometric information of a user to authenticate the identity of the user. The user then requests access to the content of a medium. Access is permitted to the requested content if the content is identified as content, or indicia identifying the content, that the user previously uploaded to the server. Access is denied to the requested content if the content is not identified as content, or indicia identifying the content, that the user previously uploaded to the server.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicants: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.Inventors: Brian Siegel, Philip Michael Abram, Marc Beckwitt, Gregory D. Gudorf, Kazuaki Iso, Brian Raymond, Christopher M. Tobin
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Patent number: 7333935Abstract: For possible use in an electronic content distribution system, automatic recognition of compact discs or other storage media containing particular content, and corresponding account crediting is described. In an electronic content distribution system, such as those providing music available by digital downloading or streaming technologies, a user may ordinarily pay a full price to receive the music. A user who possesses and apparently owns a compact disc containing particular content can be conveniently offered a discount or credit usable towards the purchase of the analogous particular content in a form provided by the electronic content distribution system. Preferably, compact discs are uniquely identified by determining whether their digital fingerprint matches a known reference fingerprint for a compact disc containing the particular content.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2001Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Music Entertainment Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Tobin, Adrienne Lalla
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Patent number: 7055737Abstract: A method of obtaining, from a remote location, topic-specific information regarding a product includes: electronically receiving one of a plurality of machine-readable codes electronically navigating to an information resource at a remote location; and displaying the information resource's topic-specific information about the product on an electronic display device. In further detail, each of the machine-readable codes is associated with an information topic relating to a product, with at least one machine-readable code having an associated information topic which is different from that of the other machine-readable code or codes. Also, each of the machine-readable codes encodes an identifier which is associated with a corresponding information resource at a remote location. At least one corresponding information resource includes topic-specific information about the product which is different from that of the other corresponding information resource or resources.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2001Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignees: Sony Coporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Tobin, Brian Siegel, Philip M. Abram, Marc Beckwitt, Gregory D. Gudorf, Kazuaki Iso, Brian Raymond
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Patent number: 6950939Abstract: An electronic system includes a user transaction device that provides a device identifier when coupled to a transaction terminal. The transaction terminal is configured to indicate that a transaction is to be performed when coupled to the user transaction device. The electronic system also includes a transaction privacy clearinghouse (TPCH), coupled selectively to the user transaction device when a transaction is to be performed. The TPCH is coupled to receive the device identifier and accessible data. Additionally, the accessible data is to be stored in a public storage area of a memory storage device that can be communicatively coupled to the user transaction device. The TPCH authorizes a transaction based upon the device identifier and the accessible data that includes account information of a user that is authorized to use the user transaction device. Moreover, a transaction is authorized without providing the identity of the user to the transaction terminal.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2001Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.Inventor: Christopher M. Tobin
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Patent number: 6874037Abstract: Two electronic devices automatically perform a synchronization session when one of the electronic devices is brought in proximity to the other electronic device. The synchronization session is initiated without user intervention based simply on the fact that the two devices have recently been brought within a predetermined distance of each other. The two electronic devices communicate in a wireless manner. The two devices may determine that they are within a predetermined distance of each other using global positioning technology, via which one of the devices determines its own position and compares it to a known position of the other electronic device. Alternatively, one of the electronic devices may output a low level signal that can be received by the other electronic device when within a certain range.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2000Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Philip Michael Abram, Marc Beckwitt, Gregory D. Gudorf, Brian Raymond, Brian Siegel, Christopher M. Tobin, Kazuaki Iso
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Publication number: 20040019552Abstract: Limited inventory is offered for sale at iteratively adjusted pricing. An item of an inventory is offered for sale to a consumer at a current sale price in a network-enabled auction. The current sale price for the item is iteratively adjusted based upon pre-defined criteria, such as an amount of inventory remaining or an elapsed time that the item has been offered. A bid on the item is received from the consumer at the current sale price.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2001Publication date: January 29, 2004Inventor: Christopher M. Tobin
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Publication number: 20030182393Abstract: A system and method for retrieving uniform resource locators from television content includes a television that receives a broadcast signal. The broadcast signal includes embedded URL information. Moreover, the television includes a remote control unit that has a memory slot that is sized and shaped to receive a portable memory media. In response to a signal received at the television, e.g., from the remote control unit, the embedded URL is extracted from the broadcast signal and downloaded to the remote control unit. To facilitate Internet use, the downloaded URL can be transmitted to an Internet device, e.g., a computer or a personal digital assistant where it can be used to access information associated with Web sites linked to the URLs.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2002Publication date: September 25, 2003Applicants: SONY CORPORATION, SONY ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Christopher M. Tobin, Greg Gudorf, Aaron Dew, Anthony Creed, Matthew Chang, Rolf Toft
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Publication number: 20030074209Abstract: A user device couples to a position determining system to determine relative positions of the device and a service vendor. The position determining system may include an information database that provides the device with information about the service vendor. A display may be coupled to the device to display the relative positions and the information about the service vendor on a map. Additionally, the device includes a device identifier to authorize a transaction without revealing the identity of a user of the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2001Publication date: April 17, 2003Inventor: Christopher M. Tobin
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Publication number: 20030037009Abstract: A package to be shipped to a user is diverted to a new delivery location upon receipt of a redirection request for the package from the user. The redirection request specifies a package identifier for the package and the new delivery location, which are transmitted to the entity responsible for the package, such as a vendor or a distribution network. The redirection request may be received in response to a delivery notification that is transmitted to the user upon request or on a periodic basis. In another aspect, when the new delivery location is a secure delivery location, an authentication code to release the package from the secure delivery location is generated and associated with the package. The authentication code is transmitted to the user and also to the secure delivery location.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2001Publication date: February 20, 2003Inventors: Christopher M. Tobin, Harold Aaron Ludtke