Patents by Inventor Donald K. Zickefoose

Donald K. Zickefoose 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: 6429879
    Abstract: Schemes for customization of content presentation relating to a Digital Versatile/Video Disc source, which source is preferably integrated into a convergence device system. A user preferences or settings database is provided that is automatically maintained or supported by a computer subsystem, wherein records containing user preference values are indexed to a DVD title or volume having an identity tag. Changed values are also stored and applied during the next playback of the title. The present invention also provides a censor block database structure containing individualized viewing sequences from a title for different users with different levels of censorship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Derrill L. Sturgeon, Donald K. Zickefoose
  • Patent number: 6012112
    Abstract: A DVD assembly, and an associated method, for a convergent device, such as a television converged into a computer. The DVD assembly is integrated into the convergent device to facilitate ease of user control over operation of the DVD assembly. Common control interfaces which include the "look and feel" of the control interfaces otherwise used by the convergent device simplify operational control over operation of the DVD assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Brase, Derrill L. Sturgeon, Donald K. Zickefoose, Christopher A. Howard, William H. Ellis, Mark P. Vaughn, Drew S. Johnson