Patents by Inventor David Westerhoff
David Westerhoff 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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Publication number: 20240297528Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for detecting downstream devices connected to an electrical load controlling device. An example embodiment operates by detecting an association signal from a downstream smart device responsive to a downstream smart device detection signal. The example embodiment further operates by determining whether the downstream smart device is coupled to an electrical terminal of an electrical switching device and configured to receive electricity in response to an actuation of the electrical switching device. If so, the example embodiment further operates by generating a control signal configured to instruct the electrical switching device to prevent a deactuation of the electrical switching device and transmitting the control signal to the electrical switching device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2024Publication date: September 5, 2024Applicant: ROKU, INC.Inventors: Gregory Mack GARNER, David Stern, David Westerhoff, Dustin Verhoeve
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Patent number: 12027854Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for detecting downstream devices connected to an electrical load controlling device. An example embodiment operates by detecting an association signal from a downstream smart device responsive to a downstream smart device detection signal. The example embodiment further operates by determining whether the downstream smart device is coupled to an electrical terminal of an electrical switching device and configured to receive electricity in response to an actuation of the electrical switching device. If so, the example embodiment further operates by generating a control signal configured to instruct the electrical switching device to prevent a deactuation of the electrical switching device and transmitting the control signal to the electrical switching device.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2022Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: Roku, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Mack Garner, David Stern, David Westerhoff, Dustin Verhoeve
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Publication number: 20230403540Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for a device including a functional circuit, a power monitor circuit, and a controller. The functional circuit can be configured to perform a function. The power monitor circuit can collect power usage data of the functional circuit. The controller can transmit the power usage data to a master control device, and receive an instruction provided by the master control device. The instruction is generated based on the power usage data of the functional circuit and related to the function. Based on the instruction received from the master control device, the controller can adjust the function performed by the functional circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: GREGORY MACK GARNER, David Stern, David Westerhoff, Anthony John Wood
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Patent number: 11653187Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for a device including a functional circuit, a power monitor circuit, and a controller. The functional circuit can be configured to perform a function. The power monitor circuit can collect power usage data of the functional circuit. The controller can transmit the power usage data to a master control device, and receive an instruction provided by the master control device. The instruction is generated based on the power usage data of the functional circuit and related to the function. Based on the instruction received from the master control device, the controller can adjust the function performed by the functional circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: ROKU, INC.Inventors: Gregory Mack Garner, David Stern, David Westerhoff, Anthony John Wood
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Publication number: 20230117823Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for detecting downstream devices connected to an electrical load controlling device. An example embodiment operates by detecting an association signal from a downstream smart device responsive to a downstream smart device detection signal. The example embodiment further operates by determining whether the downstream smart device is coupled to an electrical terminal of an electrical switching device and configured to receive electricity in response to an actuation of the electrical switching device. If so, the example embodiment further operates by generating a control signal configured to instruct the electrical switching device to prevent a deactuation of the electrical switching device and transmitting the control signal to the electrical switching device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Applicant: ROKU, INC.Inventors: Gregory Mack Garner, David Stern, David Westerhoff, Dustin Verhoeve
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Publication number: 20230116654Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for determining physical possession of one or more IoT devices. According to some embodiments, a method for determining physical possession of a plurality of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices includes determining physical possession of a first IoT device of the plurality of IoT devices. The method further includes determining whether the first IoT device with the determined physical possession satisfies a condition. In response to determining that the first IoT device with the determined physical possession does not satisfy the condition, determining physical possession of a second IoT device of the plurality of IoT devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Applicant: ROKU, INC.Inventors: Gregory Mack GARNER, David L. Stern, David A. Westerhoff
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Patent number: 11515726Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for detecting downstream devices connected to an electrical load controlling device. An example embodiment operates by detecting an association signal from a downstream smart device responsive to a downstream smart device detection signal. The example embodiment further operates by determining whether the downstream smart device is coupled to an electrical terminal of an electrical switching device and configured to receive electricity in response to an actuation of the electrical switching device. If so, the example embodiment further operates by generating a control signal configured to instruct the electrical switching device to prevent a deactuation of the electrical switching device and transmitting the control signal to the electrical switching device.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2021Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: ROKU, INC.Inventors: Gregory Mack Garner, David Stern, David Westerhoff, Dustin Verhoeve
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Patent number: 11463130Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for determining physical possession of one or more IoT devices. According to some embodiments, a method for determining physical possession of a plurality of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices includes determining physical possession of a first IoT device of the plurality of IoT devices. The method further includes determining whether the first IoT device with the determined physical possession satisfies a condition. In response to determining that the first IoT device with the determined physical possession does not satisfy the condition, determining physical possession of a second IoT device of the plurality of IoT devices.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2021Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: ROKU, INC.Inventors: Gregory Mack Garner, David L. Stern, David A. Westerhoff
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Patent number: 11388474Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments for server-side scene change content stitching. An example embodiment operates by providing a stream of first content for display on a display device. Second content to be stitched into the stream is received. Metadata indicates a point in time in the stream into which the second content is to be stitched. A scene change is identified in the first content closest to the point in time. A first frame proximate to the scene change is identified. A distance within the plurality of frames between the identified first frame and the identified scene change is identified. The stream is displayed on the display device, including the second content stitched into the first content.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2021Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: ROKU, INC.Inventors: Wim Michiels, David Westerhoff
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Publication number: 20210385532Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments for server-side scene change content stitching. An example embodiment operates by providing a stream of first content for display on a display device. Second content to be stitched into the stream is received. Metadata indicates a point in time in the stream into which the second content is to be stitched. A scene change is identified in the first content closest to the point in time. A first frame proximate to the scene change is identified. A distance within the plurality of frames between the identified first frame and the identified scene change is identified. The stream is displayed on the display device, including the second content stitched into the first content.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2021Publication date: December 9, 2021Inventors: WIM MICHIELS, DAVID WESTERHOFF
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Patent number: 9705947Abstract: A method for a computer system includes receiving an identifier associated with a client streaming player, determining one or more attributes associated with the identifier from a data structure in response to the identifier, determining available channels from a plurality of channels that are to be made available to the client streaming player in response to the identifier, wherein available channels comprises a first channel, but not the second channel, determining a first graphical identifier associated with the first channel, providing the first graphical identifier to the client streaming player, receiving a user selection of the first graphical identifier indicating a user request to associate the first channel with the computer system, and providing an indicator of a server network address associated with the first channel to the client streaming player.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Roku, Inc.Inventors: Anthony Wood, David Stern, David Westerhoff, Bill Ataras, Mark Goodwin, Aaron Graham, Matt Emerson, Kevin Phillips
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Patent number: 9420338Abstract: A streaming media device includes a controller to receive a power off signal, bookmark streamed content at a current location of play after receiving the power off signal, and present a home screen with a visual representation of an alternative content selection and channel selection for a predefined period of time.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2014Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: Roku, Inc.Inventors: Ali Vassigh, David Westerhoff, Jeff Anderson
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Patent number: 9143814Abstract: A video server adaptively selects an appropriate video encoding standard and an appropriate video encoding rate for encoding video content to be downloaded to one or more video client devices over a communication network. The video server adaptively selects the video encoding standard and the video encoding rate based upon factors such as the data transmission rate of the communication network, the processing speed of the video client device, or the type of the video content to be downloaded. Once the video encoding standard and the video encoding rate are selected, video content can be transcoded prior to downloading to one or more video client devices. During the download, the video content may be adaptively transrated, such as in response to a change in the data transmission rate of the communication network.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2009Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Andrew L. Wolfe, David Westerhoff
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Patent number: 8977721Abstract: A method for presenting content to a client device through a platform server includes detecting a selection of current content at the platform server. An attribute of the current content is identified. Additional content based on the attribute is identified. A representation of the additional content configured to be displayed at the client device is transmitted. A selection of the additional content is detected at the platform server. The attribute is revised based on the selection of the additional content. A representation of revised content configured to be displayed at the client device is transmitted. The revised content is based on revising the attribute.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Roku, Inc.Inventors: Mark Goodwin, Thomas C. Marksworth, David A. Westerhoff
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Publication number: 20140330940Abstract: A method for a computer system includes receiving an identifier associated with a client streaming player, determining one or more attributes associated with the identifier from a data structure in response to the identifier, determining available channels from a plurality of channels that are to be made available to the client streaming player in response to the identifier, wherein available channels comprises a first channel, but not the second channel, determining a first graphical identifier associated with the first channel, providing the first graphical identifier to the client streaming player, receiving a user selection of the first graphical identifier indicating a user request to associate the first channel with the computer system, and providing an indicator of a server network address associated with the first channel to the client streaming player.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: Roku, Inc.Inventors: Anthony Wood, David Stern, David Westerhoff, Bill Ataras, Mark Goodwin, Aaron Graham, Matt Emerson, Kevin Phillips
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Patent number: 8788578Abstract: A method for a computer system includes receiving an identifier associated with a client streaming player, determining one or more attributes associated with the identifier from a data structure in response to the identifier, determining available channels from a plurality of channels that are to be made available to the client streaming player in response to the identifier, wherein available channels comprises a first channel, but not the second channel, determining a first graphical identifier associated with the first channel, providing the first graphical identifier to the client streaming player, receiving a user selection of the first graphical identifier indicating a user request to associate the first channel with the computer system, and providing an indicator of a server network address associated with the first channel to the client streaming player.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Roku, Inc.Inventors: Anthony Wood, David Stern, David Westerhoff, Bill Ataras, Mark Goodwin, Aaron Graham, Matt Emerson, Kevin Phillips
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Publication number: 20130262558Abstract: A method includes identifying different content associated with a client device, transmitting a representation of the different content to the client device, and formatting the representation according to categories where the representation includes the different content displayed in different rows where each of the categories is represented by each of the rows. Different selections are detected from among the representation where the different selections represent an interest in corresponding content. The representation is modified based on the different selections.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: ROKU, INC.Inventors: Anthony John Wood, David A. Westerhoff, Jonathan Colorado Criswell
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Publication number: 20130262620Abstract: A method includes detecting a request for content, adding the request to a playlist and supplying different content associated with the playlist to a client device. The content is associated with the request.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: ROKU, INC.Inventors: Anthony Wood, David A. Westerhoff, Patrick Ellis, Mark Goodwin
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Publication number: 20130262431Abstract: A method for matching a search request from a client device includes detecting the search request from the client device, storing content listings within a content database where each of the content listings represents content, and searching for a match result between the search request and the content listings. A subscription to a subscribed content provider is detected and associated with the client device. The match result is displayed to indicate the content listings associated with the subscribed content provider.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: ROKU, INC.Inventors: Gregory Mack Garner, David A. Westerhoff, Wendy M. Abowd, Thomas C. Markworth, Patrick Ellis, Jonathan Colorado Criswell
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Publication number: 20130262633Abstract: A method for presenting content to a client device through a platform server includes detecting a selection of current content at the platform server. An attribute of the current content is identified. Additional content based on the attribute is identified. A representation of the additional content configured to be displayed at the client device is transmitted. A selection of the additional content is detected at the platform server. The attribute is revised based on the selection of the additional content. A representation of revised content configured to be displayed at the client device is transmitted. The revised content is based on revising the attribute.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: ROKU, INC.Inventors: Mark Goodwin, Thomas C. Marksworth, David A. Westerhoff