Patents by Inventor Greg Garner

Greg Garner 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: 12647649
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes using a Wi-Fi module of a computing device to detect that an end-user has exited a monitored environment of the computing device, where the monitored environment comprises an Internet of Things (IoT) device communicatively coupled to the computing device over an IoT network. The method also involves in response to detecting that the end-user has exited the monitored environment, triggering a first IoT action at the IoT device. The method also involves after detecting that the end-user has exited the monitored environment and triggering the first IoT action, using the Wi-Fi module of the computing device to detect that the end-user has reentered the monitored environment. The method also involves in response to detecting that the end-user has reentered the monitored environment, triggering a second IoT action at the IoT device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Garner, David Stern
  • Publication number: 20260075283
    Abstract: In one aspect, disclosed is an example method for use in connection with a media-presentation device presenting a media program via a display screen of the media-presentation device, the method including: (i) during presentation of a temporal portion of the media program, identifying an audience engagement region of presented content, wherein the identified audience engagement region is less than an entirety of a display area that corresponds to the display screen; (ii) using at least the identified audience engagement region as a basis to select a media segment from among multiple candidate media segments; (iii) identifying an upcoming media segment insertion point within the media program; and (iv) facilitating the media-presentation device inserting, at the identified media segment insertion point within the media program, the selected media segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2025
    Publication date: March 12, 2026
    Inventors: Andrew Peter Fogg, Sunil Ramesh, Michael Cutter, Greg Garner, Karthick Narayanan, Karina Levitian
  • Patent number: 12563262
    Abstract: In one aspect, disclosed is an example method for use in connection with a media-presentation device presenting a media program via a display screen of the media-presentation device, the method including: (i) during presentation of a temporal portion of the media program, identifying an audience engagement region of presented content, wherein the identified audience engagement region is less than an entirety of a display area that corresponds to the display screen; (ii) using at least the identified audience engagement region as a basis to select a media segment from among multiple candidate media segments; (iii) identifying an upcoming media segment insertion point within the media program; and (iv) facilitating the media-presentation device inserting, at the identified media segment insertion point within the media program, the selected media segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2026
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Peter Fogg, Sunil Ramesh, Michael Cutter, Greg Garner, Karthick Narayanan, Karina Levitian
  • Publication number: 20260012718
    Abstract: In one aspect, an example method can be used with a camera assembly comprising a movable component, a triggering mechanism, and a microphone. The method includes causing the triggering mechanism to attempt to move the movable component; proximate a time point of the attempt to move the movable component, capturing, via the microphone, audio data; determining whether the captured audio data satisfies a condition; and in response to determining whether the captured audio data satisfies the condition, performing an action related to the moveable component and/or the triggering mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2024
    Publication date: January 8, 2026
    Inventors: Bruce Benson, Gordon Downie, Michael Smith, Greg Garner
  • Publication number: 20250374405
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes using one or more Wi-Fi modules of one or more computing devices to detect movement of an end-user from a first monitored environment of the one or more computing devices to a second, different monitored environment of the one or more computing devices, where the first monitored environment comprises a first Internet of Things (IoT) device, where the second monitored environment comprises a second IoT device, and where the first and second IoT devices are communicatively coupled to the one or more computing devices over an IoT network. The method also includes in response to detecting the movement of the end-user from the first monitored environment to the second monitored environment: triggering a first IoT action at the first IoT device, and triggering a second IoT action at the second IoT device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2025
    Publication date: December 4, 2025
    Inventors: Greg Garner, David Stern
  • Publication number: 20250356250
    Abstract: In one aspect, an example method involves: receiving a request to train a model and prompting a user for a first input indicating a subject for detection within media; receiving the first input; using at least the received first input as a basis to obtain a set of media related to the subject for detection; outputting the obtained set of media and prompting the user for second input indicating subject identification information; receiving the second input; using at least (i) the obtained set of media as training input data and (ii) the received second input as training output data, to train the model; and performing operations to facilitate causing a computing system to run the trained model, wherein the computing system running the trained model comprises the computing system using at least the trained model and received runtime input data to generate and output corresponding runtime output data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2024
    Publication date: November 20, 2025
    Inventors: Greg Garner, Soren Riise, Patrick A. Brouillette, Robert Caston Curtis, Sunil Ramesh, David Stern, Carl Sassenrath
  • Publication number: 20250318015
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, and computer program product embodiments for remotely controlling a media device. An embodiment includes an apparatus including a radio frequency (RF) communications chip, a memory, and at least one processor coupled to the RF communications chip and the memory. The at least one processor is configured to receive an electronic signal indicative of a user command and generate, based on the electronic signal, an action frame packet configured to instruct a media device to perform a function associated with the user command. Subsequently, the at least one processor is configured to transmit, using the RF communications chip, the action frame packet to the media device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2025
    Publication date: October 9, 2025
    Applicant: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg GARNER, Tito THOMAS, Carl SASSENRATH, Scott DE HAAS
  • Patent number: 12408250
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes using one or more Wi-Fi modules of one or more computing devices to detect movement of an end-user from a first monitored environment of the one or more computing devices to a second, different monitored environment of the one or more computing devices, where the first monitored environment comprises a first Internet of Things (IoT) device, where the second monitored environment comprises a second IoT device, and where the first and second IoT devices are communicatively coupled to the one or more computing devices over an IoT network. The method also includes in response to detecting the movement of the end-user from the first monitored environment to the second monitored environment: triggering a first IoT action at the first IoT device, and triggering a second IoT action at the second IoT device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2025
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Garner, David Stern
  • Publication number: 20250274632
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes using a Wi-Fi module of a computing device to detect that an end-user has entered a monitored environment of the computing device, where the computing device is separate from, and communicatively coupled over an Internet of Things (IoT) network to, a battery-powered IoT device. The method also includes in response to detecting that the end-user has entered the monitored environment of the computing device, causing the IoT device to switch from operating in a standby mode to instead operating in an active mode, where operation in the standby mode comprises a mode in which the IoT device consumes less power than when operating in the active mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2025
    Publication date: August 28, 2025
    Inventors: Greg Garner, David Stern
  • Patent number: 12395697
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes using a Wi-Fi module of a computing device to detect that an end-user has entered a monitored environment of the computing device, where the computing device is separate from, and communicatively coupled over an Internet of Things (IoT) network to, a battery-powered IoT device. The method also includes in response to detecting that the end-user has entered the monitored environment of the computing device, causing the IoT device to switch from operating in a standby mode to instead operating in an active mode, where operation in the standby mode comprises a mode in which the IoT device consumes less power than when operating in the active mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2025
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Garner, David Stern
  • Publication number: 20250254095
    Abstract: A method and system to facilitate adding a new IoT device to an IoT ecosystem that includes an existing IoT device, where a mobile device is configured to control the IoT ecosystem. In an example, the new device detects a wireless broadcast from the existing device that provides identification information of the mobile device. In response, the new device then uses the provided identification information of the mobile device as a basis to scan for and discover wireless presence of the mobile device. And responsive to the discovering wireless presence of the mobile device based on the mobile-phone identification information provided by the existing device, the new device then transmits to the mobile device, via the existing device as a wireless proxy, new-device information about the new device-which enables the mobile device to prompt for and obtain user approval to add the new device to the IoT ecosystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2025
    Publication date: August 7, 2025
    Inventors: Carl Sassenrath, Greg Garner
  • Patent number: 12363800
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, and computer program product embodiments for remotely controlling a media device. An embodiment includes an apparatus including a radio frequency (RF) communications chip, a memory, and at least one processor coupled to the RF communications chip and the memory. The at least one processor is configured to receive an electronic signal indicative of a user command and generate, based on the electronic signal, an action frame packet configured to instruct a media device to perform a function associated with the user command. Subsequently, the at least one processor is configured to transmit, using the RF communications chip, the action frame packet to the media device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: ROKU, INC.
    Inventors: Greg Garner, Tito Thomas, Carl Sassenrath, Scott De Haas
  • Publication number: 20250150670
    Abstract: In one aspect, disclosed is an example method for use in connection with a media-presentation device presenting a media program via a display screen of the media-presentation device, the method including: (i) during presentation of a temporal portion of the media program, identifying an audience engagement region of presented content, wherein the identified audience engagement region is less than an entirety of a display area that corresponds to the display screen; (ii) using at least the identified audience engagement region as a basis to select a media segment from among multiple candidate media segments; (iii) identifying an upcoming media segment insertion point within the media program; and (iv) facilitating the media-presentation device inserting, at the identified media segment insertion point within the media program, the selected media segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2023
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: Andrew Peter Fogg, Sunil Ramesh, Michael Cutter, Greg Garner, Karthick Narayanan, Karina Levitian
  • Publication number: 20250133085
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, by a first device that is included in a first network and a second network, a request from a second device to join the first network. The method also includes making, by the first device, determinations of whether to transmit the second device a first credential corresponding to the first network and whether to transmit the second device a second credential corresponding to the second network. The method also includes using the determinations as a basis to select, as content for a message, the first credential, the second credential, or an indication that the second device is not allowed on the first network and not allowed on the second network. The method also includes transmitting the message that includes the content to the second device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Inventors: David Stern, Greg Garner, Robert Caston Curtis, Carl Sassenrath
  • Publication number: 20250125648
    Abstract: An example apparatus includes a smart water valve device. The smart water valve device includes a controller. The smart water valve device also includes a water valve configured to regulate water flow from a pressurized water source and configured to be operated by the controller. The smart water valve device also includes a battery configured to power the controller. The apparatus also includes an energy-generating device configured to charge the battery based on the water flow from the pressurized water source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Inventors: Carl Sassenrath, David Stern, Greg Garner
  • Publication number: 20250104715
    Abstract: In one aspect, an example method includes (i) obtaining media, wherein the obtained media includes (a) audio representing speech and (b) video; (ii) using at least the audio representing speech as a basis to generate speech text; (iii) using at least the audio representing speech to determine starting and ending time points of the speech; and (iv) using at least the generated speech text and the determined starting and ending time points of the speech to (a) generate closed-captioning or subtitle data that includes closed-captioning or subtitle text based on the generated speech text and (b) associating the generated closed-captioning or subtitle data with the obtained media, such that the closed-captioning or subtitle text is time-aligned with the video based on the determined starting and ending time points of the speech.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: Snehal Karia, Greg Garner, Sunil Ramesh
  • Publication number: 20250054383
    Abstract: In one aspect, an example method includes drawing a current through a doorbell circuit. While drawing the current through the doorbell circuit, the example method includes determining, by the doorbell device, a maximum doorbell circuit current that will not activate a doorbell chime. Based on determining the maximum doorbell circuit, the example method includes configuring a doorbell device to draw the determined maximum doorbell circuit current through the doorbell circuit. Determining the maximum doorbell circuit current that will not activate the doorbell chime further includes: (i) determining whether the current being drawn through the doorbell circuit has activated the doorbell chime, (ii) if the current being drawn through the doorbell circuit has activated the doorbell chime, decrementing the current drawn through the doorbell circuit, and (iii) if the current being drawn through the doorbell circuit has not activated the doorbell chime, incrementing the current drawn through the doorbell circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2023
    Publication date: February 13, 2025
    Inventors: Greg Garner, Robert Caston Curtis
  • Publication number: 20250021404
    Abstract: A streaming media device includes a printed circuit board hosting components configured to access internet data. An audio/visual connector is linked to the printed circuit board, wherein the audio/visual connector is adapted for connection to an audio/visual device, wherein the audio/visual connector is adapted to operate with a first audio/visual interface having sufficient power to fully operate the printed circuit board and a second audio/visual interface having insufficient power to fully operate the printed circuit board. A power connector is linked to the printed circuit board, wherein the power connector selectively receives power based on the audio/visual connector utilizing one of the first audio/visual interface and the second audio/visual interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2024
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Applicant: ROKU, INC.
    Inventors: Lloyd KLARKE, Greg Garner, Carl Sassenrath, Anthony Wood, Scott Edward De Haas
  • Patent number: 12198700
    Abstract: In one aspect, an example method includes (i) obtaining media, wherein the obtained media includes (a) audio representing speech and (b) video; (ii) using at least the audio representing speech as a basis to generate speech text; (iii) using at least the audio representing speech to determine starting and ending time points of the speech; and (iv) using at least the generated speech text and the determined starting and ending time points of the speech to (a) generate closed-captioning or subtitle data that includes closed-captioning or subtitle text based on the generated speech text and (b) associating the generated closed-captioning or subtitle data with the obtained media, such that the closed-captioning or subtitle text is time-aligned with the video based on the determined starting and ending time points of the speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Snehal Karia, Greg Garner, Sunil Ramesh
  • Publication number: 20250016056
    Abstract: A method and system to facilitate adding a new IoT device to an IoT ecosystem that includes an existing IoT device, where a mobile device is configured to control the IoT ecosystem. In an example, the new device detects a wireless broadcast from the existing device that provides identification information of the mobile device. In response, the new device then uses the provided identification information of the mobile device as a basis to scan for and discover wireless presence of the mobile device. And responsive to the discovering wireless presence of the mobile device based on the mobile-phone identification information provided by the existing device, the new device then transmits to the mobile device, via the existing device as a wireless proxy, new-device information about the new device—which enables the mobile device to prompt for and obtain user approval to add the new device to the IoT ecosystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: Carl Sassenrath, Greg Garner