Patents by Inventor Edward Eric Thomas

Edward Eric Thomas 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: 10552384
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for synchronizing media files available from multiple sources provide a mechanism to enhance user interaction with multimedia devices. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Edward Eric Thomas, Grant McSheffrey
  • Patent number: 10146802
    Abstract: A method for generating device specific thumbnails may includes receiving one or more databases on a computing device from a mobile electronic device where the one or more databases include a key file and a data file. The data file may include picture data and the key file may include an index to the picture data. Also, the method may include generating a synchronization set on the computing device wherein the synchronization set includes one or more picture files to be stored on the mobile electronic device. The one or more databases may be transformed to one or more updated databases, wherein the transforming includes updating the key file to index pictures included in the synchronization set and updating the data file to include thumbnails of the pictures included in the synchronization set. The one or more updated databases may be transmitted to the mobile electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: David Norman Richard Meisenheimer, Michael Gordon Washburn, Jordan Douglas Barnes, Edward Eric Thomas
  • Patent number: 9986013
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for space management in file systems provide a mechanism to enhance user interaction with multimedia devices. In some aspects, updated metadata of media content stored in a server is retrieved. A representation of the media content stored in the storage device and the media content stored in the server is outputted to the display. Selection of an action associated with the media content stored in the server when the mobile device is not connected to the server is enabled. The action, once selected, remains pending until the mobile device is connected to the server. Execution of the pending action when the mobile device is connected to the server is enabled. The pending action includes one of deleting a media file from the server or downloading a media file from the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Edward Eric Thomas, Bailey Hu, Grant McSheffrey, Jordan Barnes
  • Patent number: 9135281
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to manage media files using metadata injection provide a mechanism to enhance user interaction with multimedia devices. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Edward Eric Thomas
  • Patent number: 9055133
    Abstract: An apparatus, and an associated method, facilitates selection of content for play out pursuant to a media service at a device having media player functionality. A set of content streams are identified together with exemplars. Representations of the selected set are displayed at a display element, providing for selection of content therefrom. An indication of selection of content is detected and used in subsequent set identification and display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Edward Eric Thomas, Grant McSheffrey
  • Patent number: 8914426
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for managing the identity of media content data. A server node processes metadata associated with a plurality of media content data files to generate a corresponding master identifier for each of the media content data files. A client node then provides the server node a first set of metadata corresponding to a media content data file that has no associated master identifier. In turn, the server node processes the first set of metadata to identify a corresponding master identifier and a second set of associated metadata, which it provides to the client node. The client node processes the second set of metadata to identify a matching set of metadata stored in its database of identification data and metadata. If found, the client node associates the master identifier with a second media content data file corresponding to the matching set of metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Thomas P. Murphy, Edward Eric Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140222972
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for space management in file systems provide a mechanism to enhance user interaction with multimedia devices. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: BlackBerry
    Inventors: Edward Eric THOMAS, Bailey HU, Grant McSHEFFREY, Jordan BARNES
  • Publication number: 20140173126
    Abstract: An apparatus, and an associated method, facilitates selection of content for play out pursuant to a media service at a device having media player functionality. A set of content streams are identified together with exemplars. Representations of the selected set are displayed at a display element, providing for selection of content therefrom. An indication of selection of content is detected and used in subsequent set identification and display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: Edward Eric Thomas, Grant McSheffey
  • Patent number: 8706690
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for space management in file systems provide a mechanism to enhance user interaction with multimedia devices. For example, an apparatus may be configured to execute a method of synchronizing media content with a destination file system, including: receiving a request to synchronize one or more playlists from a music library to a destination file system; determining an amount of space on the destination file system utilized for files from external sources; predicting an amount of space on the destination file system to hold the one or more playlists; and displaying the amount of space utilized for files from external sources and the amount of space to hold the one or more playlists prior to synchronizing with the destination file system. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Edward Eric Thomas, Bailey Hu, Grant McSheffrey, Jordan Barnes
  • Publication number: 20140040216
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to manage media files using metadata injection provide a mechanism to enhance user interaction with multimedia devices. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Edward Eric Thomas
  • Patent number: 8626940
    Abstract: An apparatus, and an associated method, facilitates selection of content for play out pursuant to a media service at a device having media player functionality. A set of content streams are identified together with exemplars. Representations of the selected set are displayed at a display element, providing for selection of content therefrom. An indication of selection of content is detected and used in subsequent set identification and display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Edward Eric Thomas, Grant McSheffrey
  • Patent number: 8572135
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to manage media files using metadata injection provide a mechanism to enhance user interaction with multimedia devices. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Edward Eric Thomas
  • Publication number: 20130054824
    Abstract: An apparatus, and an associated method, facilitates selection of content for play out pursuant to a media service at a device having media player functionality. A set of content streams are identified together with exemplars. Representations of the selected set are displayed at a display element, providing for selection of content therefrom. An indication of selection of content is detected and used in subsequent set identification and display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Edward Eric Thomas, Grant McSheffrey
  • Publication number: 20120271882
    Abstract: A system and application are provided that enable social media shuffle functionality. Social media shuffle functionality allows users of the social media system to enjoy a variety of media that is not stored in their profile by allowing them access to all media stored in a media catalog or otherwise available to a friend. A social media shuffle operation is provided whereby a user can easily enjoy a wide variety of media with minimal user effort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Tarun SACHDEVA, Jonathan Eli DEZELAK, Elliot Daniel SHIFFMAN, Aron Robert LEVITZ, Catherine HAY, Alistair MITCHELL, Shiladitya SIRCAR, Edward Eric THOMAS, Scott FUKUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20120221610
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for managing the identity of media content data. A server node processes metadata associated with a plurality of media content data files to generate a corresponding master identifier for each of the media content data files. A client node then provides the server node a first set of metadata corresponding to a media content data file that has no associated master identifier. In turn, the server node processes the first set of metadata to identify a corresponding master identifier and a second set of associated metadata, which it provides to the client node. The client node processes the second set of metadata to identify a matching set of metadata stored in its database of identification data and metadata. If found, the client node associates the master identifier with a second media content data file corresponding to the matching set of metadata.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas P. Murphy, Edward Eric Thomas
  • Patent number: 8171419
    Abstract: The method of managing media files remotely on a portable electronic device having the touch screen display includes storing a composite media file index that lists all media files, and their attributes, whether stored on the portable electronic device or accessible at a remote computing device. The method continues by rendering a graphical user interface for a media manager application, operable to access the stored media file index, on the touch screen display. At least one activation touch event is then detected on the touch screen display, and in response to the at least one activation touch event, a group of media files having shared attributes are displayed within the graphical user interface, and at least one media file is identified for download from the remote computing device. The at least one media file is then downloaded during synchronization of the portable electronic device to the remote computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Alen Mujkic, Michael Langlois, Edward Eric Thomas, Arun Kumar
  • Publication number: 20120096056
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to manage media files using metadata injection provide a mechanism to enhance user interaction with multimedia devices. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Edward Eric Thomas
  • Patent number: 8122037
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to control selection of media content provide a mechanism to enhance user interaction with multimedia devices. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Research in Motion Limited
    Inventors: Grant McSheffrey, Edward Eric Thomas
  • Patent number: 8095566
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to manage media files from multiple sources provide a mechanism to enhance user interaction with multimedia devices. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Research in Motion Limited
    Inventor: Edward Eric Thomas
  • Patent number: 8086651
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to manage media files using metadata injection provide a mechanism to enhance user interaction with multimedia devices. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Research in Motion Limited
    Inventor: Edward Eric Thomas