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).
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Patent number: 10552384Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 21, 2008Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Edward Eric Thomas, Grant McSheffrey
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Patent number: 10146802Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 22, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: David Norman Richard Meisenheimer, Michael Gordon Washburn, Jordan Douglas Barnes, Edward Eric Thomas
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Patent number: 9986013Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 7, 2014Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Edward Eric Thomas, Bailey Hu, Grant McSheffrey, Jordan Barnes
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Patent number: 9135281Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 9, 2013Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventor: Edward Eric Thomas
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Patent number: 9055133Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 3, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Edward Eric Thomas, Grant McSheffrey
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Patent number: 8914426Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 25, 2011Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Thomas P. Murphy, Edward Eric Thomas
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Publication number: 20140222972Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: BlackBerryInventors: Edward Eric THOMAS, Bailey HU, Grant McSHEFFREY, Jordan BARNES
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Publication number: 20140173126Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2013Publication date: June 19, 2014Inventors: Edward Eric Thomas, Grant McSheffey
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Patent number: 8706690Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 21, 2008Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Edward Eric Thomas, Bailey Hu, Grant McSheffrey, Jordan Barnes
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Publication number: 20140040216Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: BlackBerry LimitedInventor: Edward Eric Thomas
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Patent number: 8626940Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 24, 2011Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Edward Eric Thomas, Grant McSheffrey
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Patent number: 8572135Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventor: Edward Eric Thomas
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Publication number: 20130054824Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Edward Eric Thomas, Grant McSheffrey
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Publication number: 20120271882Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2011Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Tarun SACHDEVA, Jonathan Eli DEZELAK, Elliot Daniel SHIFFMAN, Aron Robert LEVITZ, Catherine HAY, Alistair MITCHELL, Shiladitya SIRCAR, Edward Eric THOMAS, Scott FUKUMOTO
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Publication number: 20120221610Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2011Publication date: August 30, 2012Inventors: Thomas P. Murphy, Edward Eric Thomas
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Patent number: 8171419Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Alen Mujkic, Michael Langlois, Edward Eric Thomas, Arun Kumar
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Publication number: 20120096056Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Inventor: Edward Eric Thomas
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Patent number: 8122037Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 21, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Research in Motion LimitedInventors: Grant McSheffrey, Edward Eric Thomas
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Patent number: 8095566Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 21, 2008Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Research in Motion LimitedInventor: Edward Eric Thomas
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Patent number: 8086651Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 21, 2008Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Research in Motion LimitedInventor: Edward Eric Thomas