Patents by Inventor Harold Sutherland

Harold Sutherland 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: 10255947
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for mitigating drift in audiovisual assets. The technique includes determining that an edit associated with a presentation timeline is within boundaries of a video frame. The technique further includes calculating a temporal drift associated with the edit, where the temporal drift comprises a duration of time between the edit and a boundary of the video frame. The technique further includes determining whether to include the video frame in the presentation timeline based on the temporal drift and an accumulated temporal drift associated with the presentation timeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: NETFLIX, INC.
    Inventors: Sreeram Chakrovorthy, Shinjan Tiwary, Harold Sutherland, Rohit Puri
  • Publication number: 20170062007
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for mitigating drift in audiovisual assets. The technique includes determining that an edit associated with a presentation timeline is within boundaries of a video frame. The technique further includes calculating a temporal drift associated with the edit, where the temporal drift comprises a duration of time between the edit and a boundary of the video frame. The technique further includes determining whether to include the video frame in the presentation timeline based on the temporal drift and an accumulated temporal drift associated with the presentation timeline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Sreeram Chakravarthy, Shinjan Tiwary, Harold Sutherland, Rohit Puri
  • Patent number: 9396196
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aggregating a local media collection of a user with one or more shared media collections shared with the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user. In general, media collection information of a plurality of shared media collections from a plurality of second client devices are obtained. Media collection information identifying media items from at least one of the plurality of shared media collections and a local media collection of a first user are processed. An aggregated media collection based on the processed media collection information is provided where the aggregated media collection comprises a primary list including a media item entry for each unique media item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Eloy Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Hugh Svendsen, Harold Sutherland, Gary W. Black
  • Patent number: 9208239
    Abstract: Cloud-based systems and methods for aggregating media collections of users are disclosed. In one embodiment, in order to generate an aggregate media collection catalog of a first user, a cloud-based media aggregation system identifies one or more second users that have an identifier that is the same as an identifier of the first user for purposes of media collection aggregation. The media aggregation system then aggregates media collection catalogs of the one or more second users with a media collection catalog of the first user to thereby provide an aggregate media collection catalog of the first user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Amidon, Harold Sutherland, Hugh Svendsen
  • Patent number: 9191229
    Abstract: Systems and methods relating to a Media Collection Aggregation System (MCAS) are provided. In one embodiment, a number of nodes are connected over a Local Area Network (LAN) to provide an ad-hoc MCAS network. At least some of the nodes in the MCAS network share locally stored media collections, or select subsets thereof, with the other nodes in the MCAS network. Each node in the MCAS network selects and aggregates one or more of the shared media collections to provide an aggregate media collection for that node. One of the nodes in the MCAS network is a proxy node that provides a proxy service that enables remote participation in the MCAS network. In one embodiment, the proxy node enables one or more remote nodes to passively and/or actively participate in the MCAS network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Steven L. Petersen, Harold Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20150229993
    Abstract: A merged program guide which includes program metadata from a plurality of different media controllers is provided. A first media controller receives program metadata that identifies a first plurality of programs. The first plurality of programs corresponds to a first content package provided by a content provider. A first program record identifying a first program of the first plurality of programs is generated. The first program record includes first program metadata associated with the first program. The first media controller receives second program metadata associated with a second program of a second plurality of programs which correspond to a second content package associated with the second media controller. The first program metadata and the second program metadata are stored in a program guide on the first media controller and the first media controller enables display of the program guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Juan A. Pons, Hugh Svendsen, Eugene Matthew Farrelly, Scott Curtis, Harold Sutherland
  • Patent number: 9015757
    Abstract: A merged program guide which includes program metadata from a plurality of different media controllers. A first media controller receives program metadata that identifies a first plurality of programs. The first plurality of programs corresponds to a first content package provided by a content provider. A first program record identifying a first program of the first plurality of programs is generated. The first program record includes first program metadata associated with the first program. The first program metadata is transmitted onto a network to make the first program metadata available to a second media controller. The first media controller receives second program metadata associated with a second program of a second plurality of programs which correspond to a second content package associated with the second media controller. The first program metadata and the second program metadata are stored in a program guide on the first media controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Eloy Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Juan A. Pons, Hugh Svendsen, Eugene Matthew Farrelly, Scott Curtis, Harold Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20150019636
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aggregating a local media collection of a user with one or more shared media collections shared with the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user. In general, media collection information of a plurality of shared media collections from a plurality of second client devices are obtained. Media collection information identifying media items from at least one of the plurality of shared media collections and a local media collection of a first user are processed. An aggregated media collection based on the processed media collection information is provided where the aggregated media collection comprises a primary list including a media item entry for each unique media item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Hugh Svendsen, Harold Sutherland, Gary W. Black
  • Patent number: 8880599
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing a collection digest summarizing a shared media collection for presentation to a user. In one embodiment, a user device of a user joins a media sharing system including the user device and one or more other users devices, each associated with a sharing user and hosting a shared media collection of the sharing user. The user device obtains a collection digest from at least one of the other user devices that summarizes the shared media collection hosted by the at least one of the other user devices and presents the collection digest to the user. The collection digest may be used to assist the user in determining whether to access the shared media collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Eloy Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Hugh Svendsen, Harold Sutherland, Steven L. Petersen
  • Patent number: 8874650
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aggregating a local media collection of a user with one or more shared media collections shared with the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user. In general, one or more shared media collections shared with the user are first discovered. Optionally, the user may select one or more of the shared media collections for aggregation with the local media collection of the user. The shared media collections selected by the user, or alternatively all of the shared media collections, are then aggregated with the local media collection of the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Eloy Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Hugh Svendsen, Harold Sutherland, Gary W. Black
  • Publication number: 20130311457
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aggregating a local media collection of a user with one or more shared media collections shared with the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user. In general, one or more shared media collections shared with the user are first discovered. Optionally, the user may select one or more of the shared media collections for aggregation with the local media collection of the user. The shared media collections selected by the user, or alternatively all of the shared media collections, are then aggregated with the local media collection of the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user. The aggregate media collection of the user may then be pruned or filtered based on user preferences of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: ELOY TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Hugh Svendsen, Harold Sutherland
  • Patent number: 8484311
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aggregating a local media collection of a user with one or more shared media collections shared with the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user. In general, one or more shared media collections shared with the user are first discovered. Optionally, the user may select one or more of the shared media collections for aggregation with the local media collection of the user. The shared media collections selected by the user, or alternatively all of the shared media collections, are then aggregated with the local media collection of the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user. The aggregate media collection of the user may then be pruned or filtered based on user preferences of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Eloy Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Hugh Svendsen, Harold Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20120278393
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aggregating a local media collection of a user with one or more shared media collections shared with the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user. In general, one or more shared media collections shared with the user are first discovered. Optionally, the user may select one or more of the shared media collections for aggregation with the local media collection of the user. The shared media collections selected by the user, or alternatively all of the shared media collections, are then aggregated with the local media collection of the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Hugh Svendsen, Harold Sutherland, Gary W. Black
  • Patent number: 8285811
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aggregating a local media collection of a user with one or more shared media collections shared with the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user. In general, one or more shared media collections shared with the user are first discovered. Optionally, the user may select one or more of the shared media collections for aggregation with the local media collection of the user. The shared media collections selected by the user, or alternatively all of the shared media collections, are then aggregated with the local media collection of the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user. The aggregate media collection is provided as a primary list including an entry for each unique media item in the aggregate media collection. Sorted sub-lists are utilized to populate the primary list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Eloy Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Hugh Svendsen, Harold Sutherland
  • Patent number: 8285810
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aggregating a local media collection of a user with one or more shared media collections shared with the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user. In general, one or more shared media collections shared with the user are first discovered. Optionally, the user may select one or more of the shared media collections for aggregation with the local media collection of the user. The shared media collections selected by the user, or alternatively all of the shared media collections, are then aggregated with the local media collection of the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user. In one embodiment, bridging of users is provided to expand the sharing of media collections beyond those having direct relationships with the sharing user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Eloy Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Hugh Svendsen, Harold Sutherland
  • Patent number: 8224899
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aggregating a local media collection of a user with one or more shared media collections shared with the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user. In general, one or more shared media collections shared with the user are first discovered. Optionally, the user may select one or more of the shared media collections for aggregation with the local media collection of the user. The shared media collections selected by the user, or alternatively all of the shared media collections, are then aggregated with the local media collection of the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Eloy Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Hugh Svendsen, Harold Sutherland, Gary W. Black
  • Publication number: 20120117146
    Abstract: Cloud-based systems and methods for aggregating media collections of users are disclosed. In one embodiment, in order to generate an aggregate media collection catalog of a first user, a cloud-based media aggregation system identifies one or more second users that have an identifier that is the same as an identifier of the first user for purposes of media collection aggregation. The media aggregation system then aggregates media collection catalogs of the one or more second users with a media collection catalog of the first user to thereby provide an aggregate media collection catalog of the first user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Amidon, Harold Sutherland, Hugh Svendsen
  • Publication number: 20120117598
    Abstract: A merged program guide which includes program metadata from a plurality of different media controllers. A first media controller receives program metadata that identifies a first plurality of programs. The first plurality of programs corresponds to a first content package provided by a content provider. A first program record identifying a first program of the first plurality of programs is generated. The first program record includes first program metadata associated with the first program. The first program metadata is transmitted onto a network to make the first program metadata available to a second media controller. The first media controller receives second program metadata associated with a second program of a second plurality of programs which correspond to a second content package associated with the second media controller. The first program metadata and the second program metadata are stored in a program guide on the first media controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Juan A. Pons, Hugh Svendsen, Eugene Matthew Farrelly, Scott Curtis, Harold Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20120117110
    Abstract: A cloud-based media aggregation system that aggregates media collections of geographically proximate users is disclosed. In one embodiment, the media aggregation system determines that a first user and one or more second users are geographically proximate to one another. In response, the media aggregation system dynamically aggregates at least a portion of media collection catalogs of the one or more second users with a media collection catalog of the first user to provide an aggregate media collection catalog of the first user. The media aggregation system may control an extent of the aggregation based on pre-defined criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: ELOY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Amidon, Harold Sutherland, Hugh Svendsen
  • Publication number: 20120114312
    Abstract: Method and system for determining the availability of a media controller to record a program in the future. A media controller receives a request to schedule the recording of a program during a particular time slot. The media controller obtains an availability probability of the media controller during the time slot. The media controller determines, based on the availability probability, whether the media controller is available to record the program. The availability probability may be based on previous usage data that identifies previous usage associated with the media controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Eloy Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Harold Sutherland, Hugh Svendsen