Patents by Inventor James Barton

James Barton 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: 11241055
    Abstract: Laser finishing of apparel products allows an operating model that reduces finishing cost, lowers carrying costs, increases productivity, shortens time to market, be more reactive to trends, reduce product constraints, reduces lost sales and dilution, and more. Improved aspects include design, development, planning, merchandising, selling, making, and delivering. The model uses fabric templates, each of which can be used to produce a multitude of laser finishes. Operational efficiency is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Levi Strauss & Co.
    Inventors: David Love, Elizabeth O'Neill, James Barton Sights, Jeff Zens
  • Patent number: 11241053
    Abstract: Laser finishing of apparel products allows an operating model that reduces finishing cost, lowers carrying costs, increases productivity, shortens time to market, be more reactive to trends, reduce product constraints, reduces lost sales and dilution, and more. Improved aspects include design, development, planning, merchandising, selling, making, and delivering. The model uses fabric templates, each of which can be used to produce a multitude of laser finishes. Operational efficiency is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Levi Strauss & Co.
    Inventors: David Love, Elizabeth O'Neill, James Barton Sights, Jeff Zens
  • Patent number: 11241054
    Abstract: Laser finishing of apparel products allows an operating model that reduces finishing cost, lowers carrying costs, increases productivity, shortens time to market, be more reactive to trends, reduce product constraints, reduces lost sales and dilution, and more. Improved aspects include design, development, planning, merchandising, selling, making, and delivering. The model uses fabric templates, each of which can be used to produce a multitude of laser finishes. Operational efficiency is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Levi Strauss & Co.
    Inventors: David Love, Elizabeth O'Neill, James Barton Sights, Jeff Zens
  • Publication number: 20220021858
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for secure transfer and playback of multimedia content enables the secure transfer of multimedia content from a digital video recorder (DVR) to a personal computer (PC) and further to a handheld device. A DVR determines which devices on a Local Area Network (LAN) are authorized to share and/or retrieve content from the DVR. The DVR receives a connection request from a PC on the LAN, authorizes the connection request and establishes a secure connection between the DVR and the PC. Once the secure connection is established, the DVR receives a request for multimedia content from the PC, prepares the multimedia content for transfer and transfers the multimedia content to the PC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Arthur van Hoff, James Barton
  • Patent number: 11208761
    Abstract: A fabric has enhanced response characteristics for laser finishing. The fabric can be denim for denim apparel such as jeans. Software and lasers are used to finish apparel made of the fabric to produce a desired wear or distressing pattern or other design. The fabric allows for relatively fast color change in response to the laser, color changes in hue from indigo blue to white, many grayscale levels, and maintains strength and stretch properties. A method used to make the fabric includes spinning, dyeing, and weaving yarns in such a way to obtain the desired enhanced response characteristics for laser finishing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Levi Strauss & Co.
    Inventors: Susanne St. Onge-Simpson, Jennifer Benefiel, James Barton Sights, Berke Aydemir
  • Publication number: 20210337906
    Abstract: A system automatically generates apparel collection imagery from user-provided imagery. The user-provided imagery includes images of people wearing one or more garments. The system uses segmenting analysis to analyze the user-provided image to identify locations of the garment. From the locations of the garments, the system can determine which garments from an apparel collection can be used to replace those in the user-provided imagery. The system uses pose estimation on the user-provided imagery and modifies a preview image of a replacement garment from the collection. This modified replacement garment image is used to replace the garment in the user-provided imagery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Jennifer Schultz, Debdulal Mahanty, Benjamin Bell, James Barton Sights, Christopher Schultz
  • Patent number: 11166001
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for secure transfer and playback of multimedia content enables the secure transfer of multimedia content from a digital video recorder (DVR) to a personal computer (PC) and further to a handheld device. A DVR determines which devices on a Local Area Network (LAN) are authorized to share and/or retrieve content from the DVR. The DVR receives a connection request from a PC on the LAN, authorizes the connection request and establishes a secure connection between the DVR and the PC. Once the secure connection is established, the DVR receives a request for multimedia content from the PC, prepares the multimedia content for transfer and transfers the multimedia content to the PC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur van Hoff, James Barton
  • Publication number: 20210330013
    Abstract: A system allows a user to create new designs for apparel and preview these designs before manufacture. Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. As the user designs the garment, the system provides the user insight in their design process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Debdulal Mahanty, Christopher Schultz, Benjamin Bell, James Barton Sights, Jennifer Schultz
  • Publication number: 20210298403
    Abstract: A system allows a user to create new designs for apparel and preview these designs before manufacture. Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. The system swaps garments in a digital asset to garments that are designed using the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Debdulal Mahanty, Jennifer Schultz, Benjamin Bell, James Barton Sights, Christopher Schultz
  • Publication number: 20210297747
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for presenting menus to DVR users and users of other media playback devices are described. After a DVR (or other media device) has finished playing a recorded television program (or other content), or in response to other specified events, the DVR presents a screen which comprises a menu. In addition to or in alternative to “save” and “delete” options, the menu comprises one or more options. Each of these other options may correspond to a separate item. For example, a user's selection of such an option may cause the DVR to display or play certain content on the user's television set. Additionally, or alternatively, these other options, when selected by a user, may cause the DVR to display a user interface through which the user can actually interact with content, such as an item that was featured or referenced in the television program that the user was just watching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: James Barton, Paul Stevens, David Sandford, Robin Hayes, Margret Schmidt, Bruce Klein
  • Publication number: 20210235803
    Abstract: Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. A technique includes determining a fabric's response to a laser, capturing an initial image of a wear pattern on a garment, and processing the initial image to obtain a working image in grayscale. The working image is further processed to obtain a difference image by comparing each pixel relative to a dark reference. The difference image is converted to a laser values image by using the previously determined fabric response to the laser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Jennifer Schultz, Christopher Schultz, James Barton Sights
  • Publication number: 20210232296
    Abstract: A tool allows a user to create new designs for apparel and preview these designs before manufacture. Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. Based on a laser input file with a pattern, a laser will burn the pattern onto apparel. With the tool, the user will be able to create, make changes, and view images of a design, in real time, before burning by a laser. Input to the tool includes fabric template images, laser input files, and damage input. The tool allows adding of tinting and adjusting of intensity and bright point. The user can also move, rotate, scale, and warp the image input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Ozgur Taylan Kuzucu, James Barton Sights, Benjamin Bell, Christopher Schultz, Jennifer Schultz, Debdulal Mahanty
  • Publication number: 20210217442
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recognizing and synchronizing to in-band data at a multimedia device is provided. A content stream includes in-band data. The in-band data is processed and in-band data pattern data associated with the content stream are created. Metadata are attached to the event identification data. The event identification data are provided to multimedia devices which receive broadcasted multimedia content streams containing video programs with in-band data. The in-band data are processed and compared to the event identification data. If a match occurs, the multimedia device uses the metadata to perform specified actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Kevin P. Smith, Paul Stevens, Adam Feder, James Barton
  • Patent number: 11058163
    Abstract: A system allows a user to create new designs for apparel and preview these designs before manufacture. Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. The system provides updating an image provided by the user, with apparel designed by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Levi Strauss & Co.
    Inventors: Christopher Schultz, Jennifer Schultz, Debdulal Mahanty, Benjamin Bell, James Barton Sights
  • Patent number: 11051571
    Abstract: A system allows a user to create new designs for apparel and preview these designs before manufacture. Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. As the user designs the garment, the system provides the user insight in their design process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Levi Strauss & Co.
    Inventors: Jennifer Schultz, Debdulal Mahanty, Christopher Schultz, Benjamin Bell, James Barton Sights
  • Patent number: 11026461
    Abstract: A system allows a user to create new designs for apparel and preview these designs before manufacture. Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. The system swaps garments in a digital asset to garments that are designed using the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Levi Strauss & Co.
    Inventors: Christopher Schultz, Debdulal Mahanty, Jennifer Schultz, Benjamin Bell, James Barton Sights
  • Publication number: 20210165563
    Abstract: A tool allows a user to create new designs for apparel and preview these designs before manufacture. Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. Based on a laser input file with a pattern, a laser will burn the pattern onto apparel. With the tool, the user will be able to create, make changes, and view images of a design, in real time, before burning by a laser. Input to the tool includes fabric template images, laser input files, and damage input. The tool allows adding of tinting and adjusting of intensity and bright point. The user can also move, rotate, scale, and warp the image input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Jennifer Schultz, Debdulal Mahanty, Ozgur Taylan Kuzucu, James Barton Sights, Benjamin Bell, Christopher Schultz
  • Publication number: 20210132778
    Abstract: A tool allows a user to create new designs for apparel and preview these designs before manufacture. Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. Based on a laser input file with a pattern, a laser will burn the pattern onto apparel. With the tool, the user will be able to create, make changes, and view images of a design, in real time, before burning by a laser. Input to the tool includes fabric template images, laser input files, and damage input. The tool allows adding of tinting and adjusting of intensity and bright point. The user can also move, rotate, scale, and warp the image input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher Schultz, Jennifer Schultz, Debdulal Mahanty, Ozgur Taylan Kuzucu, James Barton Sights, Benjamin Bell
  • Patent number: 10991394
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recognizing and synchronizing to in-band data at a multimedia device is provided. A content stream includes in-band data. The in-band data is processed and in-band data pattern data associated with the content stream are created. Metadata are attached to the event identification data. The event identification data are provided to multimedia devices which receive broadcasted multimedia content streams containing video programs with in-band data. The in-band data are processed and compared to the event identification data. If a match occurs, the multimedia device uses the metadata to perform specified actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: TIVO SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Smith, Paul Stevens, Adam Feder, James Barton
  • Patent number: 10992990
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for presenting menus to DVR users and users of other media playback devices are described. After a DVR (or other media device) has finished playing a recorded television program (or other content), or in response to other specified events, the DVR presents a screen which comprises a menu. In addition to or in alternative to “save” and “delete” options, the menu comprises one or more options. Each of these other options may correspond to a separate item. For example, a user's selection of such an option may cause the DVR to display or play certain content on the user's television set. Additionally, or alternatively, these other options, when selected by a user, may cause the DVR to display a user interface through which the user can actually interact with content, such as an item that was featured or referenced in the television program that the user was just watching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: TIVO SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: James Barton, Paul Stevens, David Sandford, Robin Hayes, Margret Schmidt, Bruce Klein